LIVERPOOL FC

EXCLUSIVE: Valencia's Ever Banega Keen On Liverpool Switch

2010-05-12T17:50:00.000-07:00

Valencia midfielder Ever Banega is keen on securing a summer move to Liverpool, Goal.com has learned.

It appears that Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is set to raid his former club to fill the void left by the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid last summer and it is believed that Banega is fully in favour of a move to Anfield despite the lack of UEFA Champions League football on Merseyside next season.

Sources close to the 21-year-old central midfielder have told Goal.com Spain that the Reds have made an enticing offer, the terms of which Banega is said to be happy with, paving the way for a move which would see him link up with fellow Argentinians Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua.

It is understood that Liverpool have made a bid of around €10 million, which is rumoured to match Banega's new buyout clause but is considerably less than the €18 million los Che paid Boca Juniors to take him from the Bombonera two years ago.

Valencia's financial problems are well publicised and despite talk of potential big money departures from the Mestalla, such as David Villa and Juan Mata, the transfer income from such sales would not be sufficient to plug holes in their massive debt and so los Che now seem willing to cash in on Banega, even at a loss.

Alberto Aquilani Will Stay At Liverpool - Agent

2010-05-12T17:47:00.000-07:00

Alberto Aquilani will not be joining Juventus from Liverpool as his agent slams tabloid reports linking him with a cheap move back to Serie A.

The Sun claimed Aquilani would be sold as part of a summer clear-out at Anfield, with Juventus being his suitors in a cut-price €11.7 million deal. The Daily Mirror then added that Fiorentina were ready to bid for him.

But agent Franco Zavaglia has bitten back. He is certain the Italian midfielder, who joined Liverpool from Roma last summer, will be staying on Merseyside.

"I think this is just more big talk from the English tabloids," Zavaglia told Tuttomercatoweb.com.

"I don't know anything, because Alberto will be staying at Liverpool.

"I hear about Juventus and Fiorentina, but I think both those clubs need to organise their own structure at club level before they can think about the market.

"In addition, Alberto has recovered from his ankle injury and so I don't think Liverpool will want to sell him."

Dirk Kuyt Believes Rafael Benitez Will Be At Liverpool Next Season

2010-05-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt believes that manager Rafael Benitez will still be at Anfield next season despite the reports linking the Spaniard with Juventus.

The Dutchman also sees it as vital that the Reds hold on to players such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, both of whom have been linked with big money moves away from Merseyside in recent days.

"The manager has four years left on his contract, so I don’t expect him to leave unless something else happens," the Dutch international told The Liverpool Echo.

"For me, the most important thing is keeping the main players.

"Hopefully then we can buy a few more key players and start winning trophies."

Kuyt also acknowledged that the Reds have made too many mistakes this season and it is vital that they learn from them quickly.

A 0-0 draw at Hull City on the concluding Sunday of the season consigned the Merseysiders to a seventh-placed finish, meaning that they face the ignominy of having to play in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League next season.

Kuyt believes that the players must be honest and take their share of the blame, before lifting themselves to face a new season with resolve and determination to succeed.

"It has been a hard season and we did everything to change things," the Dutchman added.

“Up until 10 days ago, we were fighting for a trophy but it didn’t happen. You can say we have to forget what has happened but, really, we have to learn from the mistakes we made. We’ve got to push next season and be bouncing from the start.

“In football, you can never be sure what is happening and at this time, we know the club looks very bad. We are looking for new owners and you don’t know which players are going to stay or go.

“But Liverpool is a club with a great history and great supporters and we have to stay close together and fight really hard.

“Every player is interested in what is going on but, if I am honest, I can’t blame that side of things for some of our performances.

"We tried to stay focused with things on the pitch – that’s what I did, as did everyone else. We just couldn’t make good things happen for the club."

The draw at Hull also frustrated Kuyt, who wanted to end the season with a victory to cheer the fans.

“We were all hoping to finish the season with a good result so we had some kind of good feeling to finish on but unfortunately that did not happen," he said.

"Stevie [Gerrard] went close and we had a couple of other chances.

"We pushed hard but we didn’t get the result we wanted and that is disappointing."

Jason McAteer: It Wouldn't Surprise Me If Steven Gerrard Left Liverpool This Summer

2010-05-10T17:27:00.000-07:00

Former Liverpool defender Jason McAteer has admitted that he would not be surprised if Steven Gerrard left the club in the summer.

After a disappointing season, which saw the Anfield club finish seventh in the Premier League table and crash out of the Champions League during the group stages, the Reds will be hoping to hold on to their prize asset.

But amidst all the current financial problems at the club, Liverpool-born McAteer believes the Reds could have a fight on their hands to hang onto Gerrard this summer.

"The club is not secure behind the scenes," McAteer told Sky Sports News. "You're [players] probably not worried if the club is selling a million shirts in Asia or if we're doing TV deals across the world.

"All we want to know as footballers is that there's investment coming into the team, which is going to bring in quality players, which is going to strengthen our team, which is going to help us push for league titles and Champions League football and that's what Steven Gerrard wants to see.

The former Reds star believes the upheaval behind the scenes at Anfield could also have an influence on where Gerrard will be playing his football next season.

He said: "At the moment if you put everything on the table there's not a great deal going forward from the board room, it's a mess at the minute.

"If Steven Gerrard is being enticed away, it wouldn't surprise me if he left now."

BREAKING NEWS: Juventus Claim Deal For Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez Is Dead

2010-05-10T17:25:00.001-07:00

According to numerous reports emerging in Italy, Juventus have now called off their pursuit of Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez.

Sky Sport Italia have claimed that deal is completely dead in the water while Turin daily Tutto Sport suggest that, following a board meeting, the club are now actively looking into an alternative to the Spaniard.

Initial reports suggest the club will try to pull off an unlikely coup by landing Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. However, it seems unlikely that the Frenchman would jump ship as he is believed to already be preparing the club for next season.

Juve have been courting Rafa for nearly four months and the Bianconeri directors were said to be confident they would get their man after Liverpool finished a disappointing seventh in the Premier League and were twice knocked out of European competition.

If Chelsea Can Turn It Around, So Can Liverpool - Rafael Benitez

2010-05-10T17:24:00.000-07:00

At the conclusion of one of the most disappointing campaigns in the club's recent memory, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez hopes he gets the chance to ensure next season sees a Red renaissance.

The Anfield club finished seventh in the final Premier League standings, a full 23 points adrift of winners Chelsea. Benitez's future has been under huge scrutiny in recent weeks, with a move to Italian strugglers Juventus strongly linked, but the Spaniard insisted after Sunday's disappointing 0-0 draw with Hull City that he was willing and capable of turning things around.

Benitez won the Champions League and FA Cup in his first two seasons at the club, yet in the past four campaigns has failed to add to his tally. But in the wake of seeing Chelsea grab their first title since 2006, Benitez was quick to draw parallels with the London club.

"For any manager, when you have a bad season, you want to improve and change things and I think it has to be this way," Benitez told reporters.

"I think all the managers, especially when they are in England and are at a club for a long time, will have good moments and bad moments.

"In football every year you cannot win and win and win. You can see Chelsea winning [the Premier League], not winning and now winning again so it can happen."

Asked if he deserved the chance to revitalise Liverpool's fortunes, Benitez phrased his answer to rally against what he perceives to be a negative media campaign against him, with certain outlets using anonymous sources in articles to push their own agenda.

"It depends. 'Senior sources' maybe will say different but it has been the same in the history of football," he said, before outlining what he hopes will be achieved in his latest meeting with the club's chairman, Martin Broughton.

"Every meeting helps, in one way or another, and at this moment we have to talk about everything," said the Reds boss.

"Hopefully the second meeting will be as positive as the first one...but the press continue with the same agenda.

"I think for the stability of the club it is important because we have to move forward on everything.

"Hopefully we can progress with our next meeting."

Steven Gerrard Wants Quality Over Quantity At Liverpool

2010-04-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has pleaded with the Anfield powers that be to invest in "quality" in the summer to compete with the top teams in the Premier League.

Gerrard has seen his beloved Reds suffer a disappointing season, and wants investment to get the former European champions back to challenging for trophies.

A string of Rafael Benitez signings in the last few years have been wided criticised as flops - like Andriy Voronin, Fernando Morientes and Mark Gonzalez - and while the Reds captain knows his team need new faces, they have to be of a sufficient standard.

"There are teams that have grown significantly in recent times, like Chelsea. In addition, Manchester United have been too strong [for us] for many years," Gerrard said, according to The Daily Mail.

"Last year we came close to beating them but it is very difficult to overcome such a powerful team.

"Everyone knows that we must learn from this season. Some players have said we need a stronger squad and the key is to have better players and improve. I do not believe in profound changes or a revolution.

"Three or four quality players should be enough but more quality than quantity."

Gerrard is also keen to see his club make a meaningful challenge for the league title, after over 20 years without a top flight crown to celebrate.

"The Premier League is the food of this club. We haven't won it for such a long time and the crowd demand it," he added.

"They want us to win this more than any other competition. We must continue to fight for this, hopefully finishing fourth this season and having a real go next season.

"After finishing second last year we started this season with the idea of winning the league and the Champions League.

"After a series of bad results we had to change targets. Now the fans are desperate for us to win the Europa League. It's the only trophy left for us to fight for and we want to win it."

Gerrard hasn't quite had the sort of season he'd have wished for, and finds himself at No.91 on the Castrol Rankings, making him the fourth highest Liverpool player, behind Fernando Torres (5), Dirk Kuyt (69) and Pepe Reina (73).

Yossi Benayoun: Liverpool Will Win Europa League For Fernando Torres

2010-04-20T18:33:00.000-07:00

Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun has promised that the Reds will do their utmost to win the Europa League for the sake of injured team-mate Fernando Torres.

The striker is out for the rest of the season but Benayoun, who scored in last night's straighthforward 3-0 win over West Ham United at Anfield, insists that motivation remains high within Rafael Benitez's squad, who take on El Nino's former club Atletico Madrid this week in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

"We want to win a trophy and we are very close," the Israeli told his club's official website.

"We need to do everything we can to get a result so that we can come back here in good shape for the second leg. I'm sure we can.

"I believe we can cause them problems, even without Fernando. He's the best striker in the world and with him things are much easier. Unfortunately he is injured and can't play.

"I wanted him to play against his old club - he deserves to do it - as it would have been a special moment for him; but we need to try and win the game for him.

"We need to finish what has been a disappointing season with a trophy. We want to give it to everyone, including Fernando. Any trophy you win is great and we want to do it."

The win over the Hammers kept Liverpool in the hunt for a fourth-placed finish and Benayoun maintains that the players have not given up on qualifying for next season's Champions League just yet.

"It is up to the rest of us to step up and give more," he added.

"We need to play for him. He is the one who brought us to this point and won us a lot of games.

"We have the quality to cope without him and the others who have come in will try and make it easier."

EXCLUSIVE: Wigan Athletic Chairman Dave Whelan Admits Stars Hugo Rodallega & Charles N'Zogbia Could Join Arsenal Or Liverpool

2010-04-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Wigan Athletic will not stand in the way of star duo Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia, should Liverpool or Arsenal come calling, according to Latics’ chairman Dave Whelan.

Both Rodallega and N’Zogbia have been linked with moves to bigger clubs at the end of this season, and Whelan insists that Wigan’s policy has always been to help players further their careers.

“Wigan is a small club, we accept that,” he told Goal.com UK, “We have to look around and buy players and coach them, and I always tell my players that if a big club comes calling, I will never stand in their way.
“If you look now, we have a lad at Manchester United [Antonio Valencia] and a lad at Tottenham Hotspur [Wilson Palacios], and they are doing fantastically well.

"I think this current team has two or three players – Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia for example – who can go on to play for top, top clubs. And I would never stand in the way of those players should that opportunity arise.”

Arsenal have been linked with a £20 million double-swoop for the pair, whilst Liverpool are rumoured to be preparing a summer move for Rodallega in a bid to boost their striking options, and Whelan believes Wigan’s reputation as a solid breeding ground for such players attracts big clubs to the DW Stadium.

“Wigan has earned, correctly, a reputation for being a good club to come to,” he said, “Players know that if they come to Wigan they will be in the first team, they will get good coaching, and they will get a chance to move on to a big, big club if they are good enough.”

Palac-Act | Spurs' Palacios made his name at Wigan

Whelan cites the club’s scouting network as the key to Wigan’s success in the transfer market, with the Central and South American market producing the likes of Maynor Figueroa, Hendry Thomas and Rodallega, and hints that the Latics could well be adding a couple more signings from that region at the end of the season.

“We are continuing to scout across the globe, but especially in South and Central America,” he revealed, “We have two or three excellent scouts in that region, and they are continuing to turn up players for us.

"We have had great success in that area of course, and we have a couple of other players on the horizon in that region. They will be playing in the World Cup, and we will be looking at them before, during and after that.”

Of more pressing importance to Wigan, of course, is retaining their Premier League status. Sunday’s epic victory over Arsenal looks set to preserve their place amongst English football’s elite, leaving them seven points clear of the relegation zone with three games to play, and Whelan says he expects manager Roberto Martinez to improve next season, having spent this campaign adjusting to the demands of top-flight management.

“We have had some great wins, played some super football, but we have had some really poor days,” he said.
“Our manager Roberto Martinez has come from the Championship, and he has taken a while to settle into the demands and the pace of the Premier League. It is a huge learning curve and he has to learn fast, which he is doing. It is a massive step up both for players and management.”

“I think we will stay in the Premier League, and I truly hope we do because I think next season Roberto will be fully acclimatised to the demands of the league, and I think we will be a lot stronger.”

At the other end of the table, the title race looks set to go to the wire, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all competing, but Whelan is in no doubt as to the destination of the Premier League trophy.

“I think Chelsea have already won the league,” he said, “I am sorry for Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool, because I always want Lancashire clubs to win everything, but I think Chelsea will be champions, they are a good team. We play Chelsea on the last day of the season, and I think they will be lifting the trophy when they play against us.”

Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez Worried About Return Journey Following Europa League Encounter Against Atletico Madrid

2010-04-20T18:17:00.000-07:00

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has bemoaned the fact that UEFA have pressed ahead with the Europa League fixtures as originally scheduled.

The Reds travel to play Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the semi-finals of the European competition on Thursday. And the volcanic ash cloud that has turned a significant part of Europe into a no-fly zone has made it difficult for teams playing on the European stage to commute to their destinations for the first leg of their respective games.

However, the Spaniard maintains that he is more concerned about the return journey, which could have a bearing on the club's domestic aspirations.

"We are assessing things hour by hour," Benitez told the press. "We have two or three options going and at this moment just one coming back but we will see if we can improve that.

"The key point is we can prepare the flight or travel to Madrid but we have to wait.

"We have the organisation for coming back as soon as possible but any way it will be Saturday - which is not the best for the Premier League game [away to Burnley on Sunday]."

"If the airports are open maybe we can fly directly but at this moment it is more difficult to come back than it is to go."

He added: "In these special circumstances it could be better to postpone the game but we have to go.

"We had some time yesterday to rest the players. It will not be ideal but we will try to do the best for the players.

"The news we have is we will go to London and see what can happen. Maybe then the airports will be open and maybe we can fly from there.

"The key point is we can prepare the flight or travel to Madrid but we have to wait."

Champions League Special: Now And Then - 2010 v 2003, The Last Time An English Team Failed To Make The Semi-Finals

2010-04-10T01:16:00.000-07:00

ARSENAL

2003

The best: Thierry Henry

The worst: Francis Jeffers

What went wrong? Everything appeared rosy when an Henry hat-trick dismantled Roma in Italy in the opening game of the second group stage. Four successive draws after that, rounded off by a defeat to Valencia in Spain, and the dream was over for another year.

What happened next? The Invincibles of 2004 swept all before them in the Premier League, but fell at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League to London upstarts Chelsea. They were to reach the final by 2006 though.

2010

The best: Cesc Fabregas

The worst: Manuel Almunia

What went wrong? Simply outclassed by the world’s best player, Lionel Messi. The fighting spirit that salvaged a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg was not enough to stop the little Argentinian who struck an inspired four goals in the Nou Camp.

What happens next? Does Fabregas decide if he can't beat them he may as well join them? It would be a move that not only weakens Arsenal, but strengthens the argument that La Liga is now the place to be, following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Manchester United for Real Madrid. However, with Robin Van Persie, Andrey Arshavin and William Gallas (to name a few) back to full fitness, Arsenal can be in the final four pretty swiftly.

Verdict: This might be like 2003

LIVERPOOL
2003

The best: Michael Owen

The worst: El-Hadji Diouf

What went wrong? Requiring a victory over Basel in their last fixture to advance from the first group stage at the expense of the Swiss club, Gerard Houllier’s men floundered. They trailed 3-0 after 29 minutes, and the eventual 3-3 draw was not enough.

What happened next? One season later Gerard Houllier departed, two seasons later, the miracle of Istanbul. A club seemingly in terminal decline were revitalised by a change of manager and direction. Ring any bells?

2010

The best: Fernando Torres

The worst: Emiliano Insua

What went wrong? More like what went right? Crushed by Fiorentina in Florence, late slips home and away against Olympique Lyonnais then a further embarrassment at home to La Viola. If it could go wrong for Rafael Benitez, it usually did.

What happens next? Potentially more European silverware, but the Europa League is not where Liverpool want - or indeed need - to be. It seems increasingly likely that that is where their European campaign begins next season, rather than just ends.

Verdict: Whether Benitez stays or goes will decide if this is 2003 all over again.

MANCHESTER UNITED

2003

The best: Ruud Van Nistelrooy

The worst: Quinton Fortune

What went wrong? It all seemed like destiny. With the final to be held at Old Trafford, United lost just once in the first group stage, cruised through the second group stage, then came badly unstuck against a Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid, losing 6-5 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

What happened next? David Beckham left for Real Madrid. A young upstart called Cristiano Ronaldo arrived (mind you, so did Kleberson, David Bellion, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Liam Miller and Alan Smith). It had to get worse before it got better - much, much better - for United.

2010

The best: Wayne Rooney

The worst: Jonny Evans

What went wrong? Everything seemed fine on the surface as United raced into a 3-0 lead against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. But it was just papering over the cracks, brutally exposed once Rafael was sent off and Arjen Robben scored a blistering volley that sent the German club through in “typically German” fashion.

What happens next? Quite possibly an unprecedented fourth straight league title. United are well placed to remain at Europe's top table for some time to come.

Verdict: This won't be like 2003

NEWCASTLE UNITED

2003

The best: Alan Shearer

The worst: Titus Bramble

What went wrong? Sneaked through the first group stage with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Feyenoord in Rotterdam, but that was as good as it got. A 4-1 thumping by Inter in the first match of the second group stage (and at St James’ Park) followed by a 3-1 defeat in Barcelona put paid to any hopes of advancing.

What happened next? Newcastle were knocked out of the Champions League at the qualifying stages the following season. A steady decline, pockmarked by knee-jerk managerial appointments, resulted in relegation from the Premier League last season. Immediate promotion has since followed, but the jury remains out on whether Newcastle are really back on an upward incline.

CHELSEA

2010

The best: Didier Drogba

The worst: Salomon Kalou

What went wrong? It was all going so smoothly through the group stages and there was plenty of sentiment when Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge with Inter - only the Special One didn't allow his players to get caught up in it all. A ruthless, tactical masterclass (chaperoned by Wesley Sneijder) ended Chelsea's Champions League interest in the first knockout round.

What happens next? A period of introspection, followed by impressive victories over Aston Villa and Manchester United to establish the advantage in a tight Premier League race. More silverware and Champions League riches beckon, and even with an ageing team, there will be no dip of Newcastle proportions.

Verdict: This won't be like 2003

Jorge Jesus: Liverpool Scoreline Harsh On Benfica

2010-04-10T01:13:00.000-07:00

Benfica’s Europa League dreams after over after being humbled 4-1 by Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday evening, though coach Jorge Jesus doesn’t believe that result did his side justice.

After defeating the Reds 2-1 in Lisbon last week, the Portuguese had genuine hopes of progressing to the semi-finals, but first half goals from Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva quickly had the game running away from the guests. After the interval, Liverpool continued to find the net, with Fernando Torres grabbing a brace that sandwiched Oscar Cardozo’s sole response from the guests.

“From the second goal, we have sought to reduce the gap and we ended up losing goals,” Jorge Jesus told the press after the game. “Physically, some of my players had trouble keeping up with the speed of the Liverpool players.

“I think the result is a slight exaggeration of what happened, but it also reflects a very strong team from Liverpool, who have more experience, who have played with the score.”

Os Gloriosos must now focus on their domestic campaign, which looks likely to end with a 32nd league title.

Liverpool Can Win The Europa League - Benfica Defender Sidnei

2010-04-10T01:09:00.000-07:00

Portuguese table toppers Benfica were unable to hold on to their 2-1 lead from the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Liverpool and were eventually beaten 5-3 on aggregate.

Defender Sidnei was impressed with Liverpool's strong performance, but pointed out that things could have gone completely different if Benfica's finishing was a bit more clinical.

"Tonight it was a very even match. It was a well-contested match, in which they made best use of the chances they had. We searched, we played the way we always play, with a lot of ball possession. We also managed to create some dangerous chances, but we weren't able to finish them," said Sidnei on the official UEFA website.

"Liverpool really have a great team and have everything they need to go on and reach the final. I wouldn't be surprised if they manage to win the Europa League this season."

Liverpool 4 - Benfica 1 (Aggregate 5-3)

2010-04-08T21:47:00.000-07:00

Liverpool beat Benfica 4-1 - 5-3 on aggregate - to reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Fernando Torres struck twice as Liverpool produced a devastating attacking performance.

Dirk Kuyt and Lucas were also on target on a pulsating night at Anfield as the Reds overturned a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

Their first-leg nemesis Oscar Cardozo threatened to make life difficult with a goal that made it 3-1 on the night but Torres' second delightful finish ended the contest. The Reds will play Atletico Madrid in the last four.

Rafael Benitez Admits Liverpool Need New Talent If They Are To Win Trophies

2010-04-08T18:54:00.000-07:00

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has backed his star striker Fernando Torres' frank claims that the squad needs heavy investment in order to progress.

After finishing second in the Premier League last season, losing only two games, Liverpool have seen a dramatic decline in fortunes this campaign.

Following the draw at Birmingham City on Sunday, Liverpool are in sixth place in the league, four points behind Manchester City and the all-important Champions League qualifying position - having played a game more than both City and fellow challengers Tottenham Hotspur.
Benitez conceeded at a press conference that he agrees with Torres about "a lot of things" and that his squad need major investment this summer in order to become title challengers again.
"We need to sign some players, we need to bring in some money. We need an investor and then we can challenge in a better way." Benitez said.
"The players are working so hard and they feel they can do more."

However the Spaniard admits that without generating more funds, it will be hard for the team to progress.

"While we don't have the investor it will be difficult to go one step forward," he acknowledged

The 49 year-old remained coy, however, refusing to be drawn when pressed for further information about whether he was aware of any immenent investment.

Benitez was speaking ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Benfica, at Anfield.
His side trail 2-1 from the first meeting in Lisbon but, after securing a valuable away goal, the competition looks like their best hope of salvaging something from a poor season.

Chelsea And Liverpool To Fight Over Lazio's Aleksandar Kolarov

2010-04-08T18:51:00.000-07:00

Chelsea and Liverpool are tracking Lazio full-back Aleksandar Kolarov , and may enter into a transfer bidding war to secure the player in the summer, according to reports from Italy

Kolarov has established himself with a string of good performances this campaign for the Rome club, who are thought to be looking at rebuilding their squad this summer after a poor season.

With Lazio hovering around Serie A's relegation zone, Kolarov looks almost certain to be sold in the summer to raise cash for some new signings - whether or not the club go down.

But the Serbian international said the reports of interest from Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as Italian and Spanish table-toppers Inter Milan and Real Madrid, will not distract him.

"I find that different clubs are interested in me every day when I open the newspapers," Kolarov is quoted as saying on Italian website Tuttomercatoweb.com

"The interest from Real Madrid, Liverpool and Inter cannot but flatter me.
"However, so far there has never been anything concrete."

Lazio's Aleksandar Kolarov Welcomes Liverpool, Real Madrid & Inter Interest

2010-04-07T18:09:00.000-07:00

Lazio defender Aleksandar Kolarov has said he is flattered at being linked with some of Europe's top clubs.

Reports around the peninsula claim Jose Mourinho and Inter are keen admirers of him, but Premier League side Liverpool and Spanish giants Real Madrid are also interested.

"I always read the papers and see that different clubs are interested in me," Kolarov is quoted as saying on Tuttomercatoweb.com.

"Interest from Real Madrid, Liverpool and Inter flatters me, but there has never been anything concrete. For now I want to think about Lazio's survival."

Liverpool Comment: If The Reds Fail To Finish Fourth, Rafael Benitez Will Not Be The Only One To Blame

2010-04-07T17:53:00.000-07:00

As post-mortems go, the inquest into Liverpool's disappointing Premier League campaign has been a long, drawn-out affair to rival any political, civil or legal investigation. It's been going on since the first day of the season.

That day, Liverpool lost away to Tottenham and now, almost eight months on, the sun appears to have set on the Reds' chances of obtaining the fourth place finish that most supporters had taken for granted as they headed for White Hart Lane in the August sunshine.

Sunday's 1-1 draw at Birmingham, although not a catastrophic result in itself, leaves Rafael Benitez's men four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, having played a game more. Tottenham, too, are three points better off in fifth place. With just five league games remaining, Liverpool will need a remarkable turnaround if they are to sneak into the Champions League spaces come the season's end.

It is a far cry from this time last season, when a run of five straight victories had catapulted the Reds into the thick of a title-race with Manchester United. Alas it was not to be for Benitez and his side but they had, it seemed, laid down a marker. 2009-2010 would see them come back stronger still.

That they haven't, that they now lie 19 points behind leaders Chelsea, having lost almost a third of their league fixtures, is some collapse. Their away form is horrendous - the Reds have been outscored on their travels by Wolves, West Ham United and Wigan Athletic. And whilst most of the fingers are pointing in the direction of a certain Spaniard, it is worth considering some of the other elements which have contributed to Liverpool's annus horribilis.
No doubt Benitez has made errors of judgement - as all managers do - but Liverpool's squad has received little of the investment lavished upon up-and-coming rivals such as Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Warring co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have spent most of the past two years scouring the world for buyers willing to offer a healthy return on their ill-fated investment, and Benitez's squad has undoubtedly suffered as a result.

How else do you explain the fact that, in three transfer windows since the arrival of Robbie Keane in the summer of 2008, Liverpool's net spend is actually negative? Keane departed within six months of his arrival, and has been followed by Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sami Hyypia, Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin. Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani have been brought in, but only from the proceeds of player sales - and both with carefully-structured payment plans.

Gone | Keane's departure left a void in Reds' squad

Little wonder then, that Liverpool have struggled to create a squad with the depth to sustain a 50-game season. Benitez, given the choice, would surely not want to rely so heavily on the likes of David Ngog or Emiliano Insua - both of whom have come in for some hefty criticism this season - but the harsh truth is that he has had little choice. He may regret his decision to gamble on the injured Aquilani last summer, but it is too early to write the Italian off just yet.

And it should be noted that Liverpool's first eleven remains a damn sight better than its results, and performances, this term have shown. A spine containing Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, as well as the superb Daniel Agger, is as strong as most in the Premier League. But all of those players, with the exception of Reina, have struggled at various points of the season with form and fitness (or both). It is then that the back-up men have been found wanting.

Players such as Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun, for example, have failed to replicate the form which made them such valuable assets as Manchester United were run so close last spring. They may have netted 17 goals between them this season, but Liverpool's overall contribution from wide areas has been average at best. Torres' frustrations, increasingly evident of late, often stem from a lack of quality service. For that, the midfield must take responsibility.

As they must for the side's collective lack of goals - 54 in the league compared to Chelsea's 84. Torres may have 20 goals in all competitions this season, and Gerrard joined Kuyt in double figures with his strike at Birmingham, but elsewhere there has been a lack. Lucas Leiva, unfairly victimised by many, is yet to trouble the scorers this season, whilst Javier Mascherano's solitary strike came in the Europa League at Unirea Urziceni. The likes of Benayoun, Ryan Babel and Maxi Rodriguez need to add a more consistent end product to their respective talents.

Of course all is not lost at Anfield this season. There is sure to be a fantastic atmosphere when Benfica visit for their Europa League quarter-final, second-leg on Thursday, and Liverpool have a genuine chance of progression against the effervescent Portuguese side. And with both City and Spurs facing apparently trickier conclusions to their own seasons, there is still hope that Benitez's men can edge their way into the big-four cartel.

But if they don't, then fingers will be pointed. And they should point at more than just one man. Liverpool Football Club, after all, has never been about individuals.

Carrick calls on his United team-mates to slay Liverpool

2010-03-19T19:13:00.000-07:00

LONDON: Michael Carrick believes Manchester United can open the door to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title by slaying their recent Liverpool jinx this weekend.

Liverpool have won the last three meetings with their biggest rivals, and despite struggling this season, will travel to Old Trafford tomorrow buoyed by memories of how they took United apart in a 4-1 win at the Theatre of Dreams last season.

Buoyed as well from trouncing Lille 3-0 on Thursday to qualify for the Europa League quarter-finals, Rafael Benitez’s side desperately need to take something from the match as they battle Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa for the final Champions League qualifying spot.

United also have virtually no margin for error in a three-way title race with Chelsea and Arsenal but Carrick insists that tomorrow’s showdown will be approached with relish rather than nerves.

“The confidence is there,” the England midfielder said. “We are playing some good stuff and have been on quite a good run lately. There are still eight games to go in the league and we need to carry our present run of results right to the very last game.

“I am sure it is going to go right down to the wire, so there is no way we will be taking our foot off the gas just yet.”

United expect to have veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs available following his recovery from a broken arm but South Korean star Park Ji-sung will expect to retain a starting role following some sparkling recent performances, including a key central-midfield cameo in the Champions League destruction of AC Milan last week.

“We are looking forward to it,” Ji-sung said. “You can feel the atmosphere is different for a game against Liverpool than for other games. You know the history and the rivalry.

“There have been some great games between the two teams and we lost at Anfield earlier this season so there is an element of revenge. But we are ready to play against them and this time I hope we show our strength.”
Chelsea will seek to bounce back from their Champions League exit at the hands of Inter Milan when they travel to Blackburn tomorrow.

Tuesday’s home defeat by an Inter side managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will take some digesting, but Didier Drogba insists it will only fuel Chelsea’s determination to reclaim a trophy Chelsea last claimed in 2006, Mourinho’s last full season in charge.

“We are disappointed but we have to come back stronger because the league is going to be a big battle,” the Ivory Coast striker said.

Arsenal will be counting on fit-again skipper Cesc Fabregas to spearhead their push for their first title since the 2004 “Invincibles” campaign, but the Gunners will once again be without centreback William Gallas for West Ham’s visit to the Emirates today.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa could further strengthen their hand in the battle for Champions League football by beating local rivals Wolves in a lunchtime derby clash today. But on-form Tottenham will retain the coveted fourth place if they can take all three points from a tricky trip to Stoke later in the day.

Manchester City, arguably the best placed of the four clubs involved in this particular battle, are at Fulham tomorrow.

Relegation-threatened Hull begin life under new manager Iain Dowie by entertaining bottom side Portsmouth, whose survival chances disappeared with the imposition of a nine-point penalty for going into administration earlier this week. Burnley are now regarded as the favourites to join Hull and Portsmouth in dropping out of the top flight but that could change if they can take something from today’s short trip to Wigan. — AFP

Man U vs Liverpool

2010-03-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

In the reverse fixture at Anfield on 25th October 2009, Liverpool ended their worst sequence of results since 1987 with a 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Fernando Torres and David Ngog scored the goals, with Nemanja Vidic sent-off for the third successive time in matches between the two sides.

Liverpool are the only club in Premier League history to beat United four times in a row, between 2000 and 2002. They could emulate that record with a win in this fixture.

Wayne Rooney is in red hot form for United but has only ever scored once against Liverpool in 14 Premier League attempts.

Europa League draw -Quarter and Semi Finals

2010-03-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Quarter-final draw

Fulham v Wolfsburg
Hamburg v Standard Liege
Valencia v Atletico Madrid
Benfica v Liverpool

Semi-final draw
Valencia/Atletico Madrid v Benfica/Liverpool
Hamburg/Standard Liege v Fulham/Wolfsburg

BREAKING NEWS: Liverpool Midfielder Albert Riera Suspended By Club Following Outburst Aimed At Boss Rafael Benitez

2010-03-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

Liverpool have suspended winger Albert Riera after he criticised manager Rafael Benitez on Spanish radio.

The Spanish international has been docked two weeks wages and has been told not to return to the Melwood training ground until Monday.

Rafael Benitez Fully Focused On Liverpool Despite Summer Exit Rumours

2010-03-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

Liverpool manager has declared he is focused entirely on his side's home game with on Monday night rather than any of the speculation surrounding his position at Anfield.

Reports continue to link the Spaniard with a summer exit from the Merseyside outfit but he insists that he and his players are concentrating on taking the Reds to a top four Premier League finish and nothing else.

"The club is the most important thing, more than anyone," Benitez told his club's official website.

"The most important thing is for everyone to try and do better and to improve performances.

"I don't want people talking about me. It doesn't matter.

"The priority has to be to improve things on and off the pitch."

"The only thing we should be thinking and talking about is Portsmouth, then the Europa League game against Lille, then Manchester United. It is a crucial week."

Benitez also wants everyone at Anfield to focus on working together to improve the club's curren situation, which has seen them drop out of the Champions League and drop behind in the race for a Premier League top four finish.

"Everybody here wants to improve our position in the table and we have an opportunity to do that tonight against Portsmouth," he added.

"We know that we have had some problems but we know we can solve these problems if we keep working little by little. We have to work together for the good of the club.

"We had some games after that when we showed good character and the team was doing well. Now we have to show that character again. Hopefully we can remember that and push a little bit harder."

Liverpool Plan Move For Fiorentina's Juan Manuel Vargas - Report

2010-03-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

Liverpool are ready to move into position for winger Juan Manuel Vargas, according to Calciomercato.com.
An Italy-based scout working for the Premier League club is trying to open up a line of communication with Fiorentina to uncover the player's availability.

The scout wants to verify conditions with Vargas' agent before he approaches the Viola with the hope of moving forwards.

The Reds' directors are reportedly impressed with Vargas' form this term, especially after he played at Anfield in December during Fiorentina's win in the Champions League.

It was Vargas who supplied the assist for Alberto Gilardino's winner in that game.

The Peruvian international joined Fiorentina from Catania in 2008.

Rafael Benitez Criticised Blackburn Rovers To Conceal Liverpool’s Poor Performance - Sam Allardyce

2010-03-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has responded to Rafael Benitez ’s withering assessment of his team’s performance in last weekend’s clash at Liverpool.

The Reds took all three points in a 2-1 victory at Anfield, with Benitez launching a sarcastic appraisal of Rovers’ physical tactics post-match.

However, 'Big Sam' has now hit back at the Spaniard by claiming Benitez was trying to deflect attention away from another poor display by the Reds.

“Blackburn's [Rovers] performance was the best any of my teams have played there,” he told the Mail on Sunday.

"[Rafael] Benitez knows his team played poorly and were lucky to get a win so he deflected any criticism by personally criticising me.

"That covered the true facts that we had better opportunities than them and came extremely close to beating what is supposed to be an outstanding Liverpool team.

"Being able to wind up a manager is satisfying, even if it doesn't quite work your way in terms of results.

"It just galls him that we make things difficult for him when he plays against my teams. There's no love lost between us.

"The truth is Liverpool are having to dig out results when they are not playing well. They didn't particularly earn the win last week but they dug it out.”

Allardyce also insisted his managerial reputation as a purveyor of long-ball football was wholly inaccurate and was not fair on his players.

"My reputation has been a perception for some time rather than a reality,” he added.

"It's a great shame for the Blackburn players because it's not their fault the manager is tagged by a so-called long-ball style. It's just not factual."
Goal.com

Jamie Carragher: Leaving Liverpool Would Not Bother Me

2010-03-07T18:19:00.000-08:00

Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher admitted he would have no problem leaving the club should the Reds fail to extend his contract which ends next season.

The 32-year-old has become synonymous with the Merseyside club having spent his entire career at Anfield, yet he confessed to the Sunday Times he would not find it difficult to leave Liverpool if a contract was not forthcoming.

“The club [Liverpool] will give me a new contract if they want to," he explained.

"If not, it doesn't matter, I'll still play my best and if I have to move then I'll move, no problem. It wouldn't bother me."

The defender compared the decision to when he opted to retire from international football back in 2007 and insisted he was not afraid of making big calls.

"I made the England decision quickly and didn't dwell on it and I'm not scared of making big decisions,” he added,

“It's a club thing. It's down to them. I'll keep playing and see where it takes me."

Carragher has made over 500 appearances for the Reds since signing professional terms in 1996, winning two FA Cup titles, two League Cup titles and the Champions League in 2005.

Top 20 Deloitte Money Football League In Full

2010-03-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

The Deloitte Football Money League profiles the highest earning clubs in the world’s most popular sport. All of this year’s top 20 clubs are from the ‘big five’
European leagues with England contributing seven clubs, Germany five, Italy four, and France and Spain represented by two clubs each. Deloitte has used the figure for total revenue extracted from the annual financial statements of the company or group in respect of each club, or other direct sources, for the 2008/09 season. Based on the information made available, Deloitte has
split revenue into three categories, being revenue derived from matchday, broadcast and commercial sources.

20. (17.) Newcastle United- €101.0m

The 2008-'09 season was a season to forget for Newcastle United as they failed to retain their Premier League status and relegated to the Championship after a sixteen-season spell in England's top tier. Nevertheless, the Magpies still totalled a €101 revenue to finish in the top 20 of Deloitte's Money Football League.

19. (-) Manchester City- €101.2m

Last season was the first season of the Abu Dhabi United Group’s ownership of Manchester City and the Citizens finished the Premier League in tenth position. Despute their slightly disapppointing performances, revenues increased by six percent to a total of €102.2 million, thus securing nineteenth spot.

18. (20.) Borussia Dortmund- €103.5m

Borussia Dortmund have climbed two spots compared to last season's Deloitte Money Football League top 20. BVB failed to qualify for European football last term, but average attendances of almost 75.000 per home game boosted their total revenues to €103.5 million.

17. (-) Werder Bremen- €114.7m

Werder Bremen are the first new team in this top 20 with revenues of €114.7 million. The Hanseaten made it into last year's UEFA Cup final and won the DFB Pokal, thus generating 26% more revenues than the year before. Broadcasting revenues were the major source of income for the Bundesliga side.

16. (13.) Schalke- €124.5m

Schalke slipped three places down the ranking due to a reduction in total revenues of €23.9 million. The Gelsenkirchen side continued to sell out its Veltins Arena, but a different mix of games (UEFA Cup instead of Champions League) resulted in a reduction of matchday income.

15. (14.) Tottenham Hotspur- €132.7m

Tottenham reached the Carling Cup final for the second consecutive season and finished eighth in the Premier League after a disappointing start to the season. The London side totalled revenues of €132.7 million, only two percent lower than last season's record income.

14. (16.) Olympique de Marseille- €133.2m

Olympique Marseille climb two spots in the Deloitte Money Football League and close the gap to French rivals Olympique Lyonnais to €6.4 million. Marseille only just missed out on the French title last year. Consistent Champions League qualification has kept the Ligue 1 contenders among Europe's top 20 money-spinning clubs.

13. (12.) Olympique Lyonnais- €139.6m

Olympique Lyonnais wer not crowned French champions at the end of last season for the first time in seven seasons. The Ligue 1 titans still totalled revenues of €139.6 million though and sit thirteenth in this ranking. Lyonnais revenues decreased by ten percent last season.

12. (9.) Roma- €146.4m

Roma lost three places compared to last season and have dropped from the top ten. The Giallorossi had a disappointing season on the pitch finishing in sixth position in Serie A and were eliminated in the Champions League in the Round of 16. Roma's revenues dropped to €146.4, a decrease of seventeen percent.

11. (15.) Hamburger SV- €146.7m

A rather successful season on the pitch helped Hamburger SV increase revenues by an impressive fifteen percent, despite not playing in the Champions League. HSV have almost doubled their revenues in the past five seasons and totalled an amount of €146.7 million last season.

10. (7.) AC Milan- €196.5m

Milan fall three places in the money league following a disappointing 2008-'09 season. The Rossoneri failed to qualify for Champions League football and entered the UEFA cup instead. This cost Milan €26 million in UEFA central broadcasting distributions. Commercial and matchday revenues increased, but not enough to make up for the aforementioned loss.

9. (10.) Internazionale- €196.5m

The Italian champions post a €23.6m (14%) increase in revenue to €196.5million. Internazionale have been the dominant force in the Serie A in the past couple of seasons, but still await Champions League glory. As with the other Italian clubs in the Money League, broadcasting provides the majority of the club’s revenue (59%).

8. (11.) Juventus- €203.2m

Juventus’ first Champions League campaign since 2005/06 helped drive a revenue increase of €35.7million (21%) to €203.2 million. The Turin side's matchday revenues remain the lowest of any Money League club. If the Old Lady is to increase revenue, they need to work on their attendances.

7. (8.) Liverpool- €217.0m

Liverpool's second place Premier League finish last term resulted in an increase of broadcating revenue. However, the Reds are still only the fourth placed English side in the Money League. Their quarter-final Champions League exit didn't do Liverpool any good financially.

6. (5.) Chelsea- €242.3m

Chelsea’s footballing fortunes were mixed in 2008/09. Managerial instability provided a backdrop for a disappointing third place finish in the Premier League. However, they made up for this by winning the FA Cup. Off the pitch Chelsea dropped out of the Money League top five for the first time since 2002/03, as revenue fell to €242.3million.

5. (6.) Arsenal- €263.0m

Arsenal return to the money top five after a one-year absence. Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis’ aim of running a financially ‘self sufficient’ club is assisted by repeatedly filling the Emirates stadium to its 60,400 capacity. Additionally, Arsenal grew its commercial revenues to €56.5million.

4. (4.) Bayern Munich- €289.5m

Bayern Munich saw revenues decline by two percent, but managed to hold to fourth spot in the Money League with a total revenue of €289,5 million. The Bavarians failed to win the Bundesliga, but did manage to win direct qualification for the Champions League, thus securing a considerable amount of broadcasting revenues.

3. (2.) Manchester United- €327.0m

English champions Manchester United dropped to third spot following Barcelona's extremely successful season. Manchester saw commercial -, matchday - and broadcasting revenue all increase and total a revenue of €327 million. Yet even this was not enough to retain last year’s runner-up position in the Money League, with further deterioration in the Sterling exchange rate compounding the effect of Barcelona’s more rapid revenue growth.

2. (3.) Barcelona- €365.9m

Champions League winners Barcelona will be absolutely deligthed with their sportive successes last season. Additionally, they had a good season financially, too. The favourable Euro to Pound Sterling exchange rate saw Barcelona leapfrog Manchester United into second place in the Money
League, with total revenues increasing by 18% to €365.9million.

1. (1.) Real Madrid - €401.4m

Real Madrid hold on to top spot in the Money League with ease and are the first sports team in history with revenues exceeding €400 million. Los Blancos might have failed to impress on the pitch last season, but they have every reason to be proud with their performances off the pitch. The club’s contract
with Mediapro combined with certain others, guarantees the club more than €1.1 billion over the seven seasons to 2013/14.

Liverpool To Offer Javier Mascherano New Long-Term Deal - Report

2010-03-02T19:27:00.000-08:00

Liverpool will soon offer midfielder Javier Mascherano a new long-term contract in order to prevent the Argentine international leaving for Barcelona, according to a report from The Times.

The new deal would apparently keep the player at Anfield until 2014. Preliminary talks are believed to have taken place between the Reds' hierarchy and the payer, with the club hopeful that the 25-year-old will sign the extension.

Mascherano's current contract expires in February 2012. It looked at one stage in the summer as if he was pondering an Anfield exit for Catalonia, though nothing materialised.

Now Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is hoping that the Argentine follows the example of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger and Yossi Benayoun, who have all signed new contracts in the last year.

Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina, whose current deal expires at the end of the 2011-12 season, is also reported by The Times to be in negotiations about a new contract.

Football Money League Analysis: New Stadium Just As Essential As Champions League For Liverpool's Future

2010-03-02T19:23:00.000-08:00

By Neil Jones

Liverpool Correspondent So the Deloitte Football Money League has been published for 2009, and for Liverpool fans, it makes for very interesting reading.

The table - which ranks European clubs in terms of revenue generated – shows the Reds have risen a place to seventh for the 2008-09 season, but also highlights the gap that is emerging between the club and the rest of English football’s ‘big-four’ cartel.

Liverpool’s revenue for last season stands at £184.8 million, but compared to Chelsea (£206.4m), Arsenal (£224m) and Manchester United (£278.5m), they are lagging way behind.

The explanation for such a deficit requires only a simple glance at the breakdown of Liverpool’s revenue streams, in comparison with other clubs. And in particular, one area: match-day revenue.

Dan Jones, partner for Deloitte's Sports Business Group spells it out: "When compared to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United it is the area of match-day revenue where Liverpool noticeably fall short of their rivals.

“Liverpool made £42.5 million in match-day revenue whilst Manchester United and Arsenal - with their bigger stadium capacity - made more than £100 million, and Chelsea – even despite a smaller ground - earned £75 million. It is a gap Liverpool have to bridge, and they are acutely aware of that."

A new stadium has long been high on the club's agenda, with plans for a new arena on Stanley Park – a stone’s throw from Anfield – having been floating round Merseyside since the late 1990s.
And these latest financial figures will serve only to embellish the belief that the building of such a venue is of paramount importance if Liverpool are to retain, and build upon, their place amongst the world’s elite football clubs.

For the club, plans for a new, 73,000-seater stadium are currently at a delicate stage. In December, Merseyside Council Leader Warren Bradley stated that he expected the green light for building work to be given “in or after the second quarter of 2010”.

This claim was later rejected by Reds’ managing director Christian Purslow, who has been publicly seeking around £100m of fresh investment in the club across the world, in a bid to drive down the restrictive £237m debt loaded onto the club by co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

Financially, the new stadium would provide an incredible boost – in the long run, at least. Securing enough investment to ensure the arena is built may force a tightening of belts at Anfield, and could well put off potential benefactors but, as Arsenal have found out since the Emirates Stadium was opened in 2006, a plush new arena brings with it a multitude of financial benefits. In 2008-09, the Gunners made the most in the world from matchday revenue - even more than Real Madrid.

Naming rights is one potential benefit, and Liverpool’s commercial director, Ian Ayre, told Goal.com UK in January that talks have already taken place between the club and a number of major companies with regards to the right to name the Reds’ new home.

Considering Arsenal collected around £100m from their deal with Emirates Airlines in 2006, and that Liverpool enjoyed an impressive 25 per cent rise in their commercial revenue last year, the Reds will be hopeful of securing plenty of investment from a similar move.

Set the Standard | New deal will benefit Reds

Additionally, there are plans for the Reds’ new arena to contain around 10,000 corporate seats, which despite the inevitable sneers and disdain from the traditionalists, is a massive revenue generator for any club.
Anfield currently seats around 350 corporate spectators, another indication of how far the club has to go to match their rivals. Arsenal, for example, make almost as much from their corporate customers as they do from ordinary ticket sales, and are well on the way to becoming a self-sufficient club as a result.

On the field, of course, Liverpool have plenty of other issues to ponder. The club netted £50.3m from its second placed Premier League finish last season, but being currently embroiled in a four-way battle for fourth place, that figure is likely to be substantially lower next year.

Purslow himself commented in November that a sustained run in the Europa League, in which the Reds recently qualified for the last 16, would offset the revenue lost by this season’s early exit from the lucrative Champions League; but failure to qualify for next season’s premier European competition would have a marked effect, on and off the field - especially considering the fact that UEFA have announced a provisional increase in their Champions League TV and sponsorship deals, as of next season.

Liverpool earned £19.7m from their Champions League campaign in 2008-09, and £23.3m for 2007-08. It doesn’t take a mathematical genius to see that failure to dine at Europe’s top table next season would have a massive impact on the balance sheets. And that is without considering the impact it would have on the club’s ability to attract and retain top class players, and challenge for major honours.

There are some bright spots for Reds fans. Their commercial team, as revealed by Ayre, are enjoying a successful spell building the global reputation of the club, raking in £67.7m last year, and a new shirt sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered bank will net the club around £12.5m per annum more than their current agreement with Carlsberg.

But if Liverpool are to close the gap to the rest of Europe’s elite, then a new stadium and Champions League football are simply essential.

Without those two critical factors, and with the emergence of new forces such as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City – who are listed in 15th and 19th place respectively in the Football Money League, and boast ambitious, benevolent owners – English football’s most successful club is at risk of being left trailing.

Liverpool Comment: Steven Gerrard And Fernando Torres Remain The Difference Between Success And Failure

2010-02-28T18:15:00.000-08:00

By Neil Jones at Anfield

If ever Rafael Benitez needed a reminder of 's trump cards in the race for a top-four finish, then a tape of today's win over a robust side should do the trick, as and served up the goals to keep the Reds in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Benitez has been denied the services of his premier pair far too often for his liking this season - indeed, today was just the 16th time in 40 games that both have started a game in this campaign - but knows that when Gerrard and Torres link-up, Liverpool invariably find their form. It is little wonder that the Spaniard has refused to panic, even during the Reds' stuttering start to the season.

Torres had not started a league match since December 29th, having suffered a knee injury in his side's FA Cup surrender to Reading. And just like in his last outing, he was to provide the winning goal - sliding in a low cross from the impressive Maxi Rodriguez three minutes before half time.

It was to prove decisive, as the Reds recorded a priceless victory on a weekend when both Tottenham and Manchester City enhanced their own credentials for a place in next seasons' Champions League.

It was little wonder that Rovers boss Sam Allardyce bemoaned his side's lack of "a goalscorer" in his post-match press conference. His side matched their hosts for possession, and efforts on goal. But whilst Liverpool could call on precise finishing from their star turns, Rovers were left with just a Keith Andrews penalty to show for their efforts, though Pepe Reina made a fine late save to keep out Jason Roberts' late header.

There is clearly no love lost between Benitez and Allardyce - the pair traded barely-masked insults after the match - but Liverpool's manager will admit that his side were given a tough game by a physical, direct Blackburn attack today.

Rovers' aerial bombardment caused problems, as did their robust tackling in midfield. Indeed both Pascal Chimbonda and Steven N'Zonzi could well have been sent-off for ugly incidents involving Maxi and Lucas.

Yet whilst Allardyce will soon receive an FA fine, after his side collected five yellow-cards, Liverpool remained disciplined, if still not quite fluent. But beggars cannot be choosers. This was the kind of game that could easily have tripped the Reds up, especially if they did not have the class of Torres to fall back on.

Benitez revealed after the game that his decision to deploy Torres from the start was an "easy one to make", following David Ngog's midweek excursions on a testing pitch in Bucharest, and the Spaniard rewarded his manager's faith with his his 13th goal of the season. Considering the games missed through injury - he has started just 15 times this season - it has become impossible to overstate his importance to Liverpool's ambitions.

And Torres' impact is not limited to scoring goals. The mere mention of his name was enough to draw the loudest cheer of the day pre-match, and the very sight of the tousle-haired number 9 visibly unnerved the Blackburn defence in the opening stages. Ngog, for all his improvements, does not pose such a psychological threat.

For Gerrard, Torres' presence has a more logical effect. Liverpool's captain has, by his own high standards, had a pretty poor season so far. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued the 29-year-old, but arguably the greatest problem has been his inability to create any sort of momentum in his partnership with the man he describes as "the world's best striker".

The last time the pair scored in the same game was against Hull City in September, but today they were back on their favourite wavelength - each other's.

Gerrard was dropped back in to a more conventional midfield role, as Javier Mascherano was asked to fill in at right-back, and enjoyed a fine afternoon. His opening goal, a pass from Yossi Benayoun taken on the run and finished sublimely on his left foot, was the kind of dazzling contribution that has been lacking from the England star for too much of this campaign.

There were other notable performances from those in Red. Mascherano turned in a performance of discipline and energy that most natural full-backs would have been proud of, whilst Maxi Rodriguez bolstered his claims for the right-wing berth with a fine all-round display. Reina had a few tricky moments - notably when buffeted in the air by Nikola Kalinic and Christopher Samba - but his late contributions were as valuable as Gerrard's or Torres'.

Manchester City's win at Chelsea, and Tottenham's triumph at home to Everton meant Liverpool were unable to make up any ground in the four-way tussle for Champions League football next season, but the sight of Gerrard and Torres in full flow again will give Benitez heart for the final ten games of the season - especially considering the Reds' favourable run-in.

Tottenham and Manchester City will certainly have plenty to say, and there are sure to be a few more twists and turns between now and May, but if Liverpool can keep Gerrard and Torres fit and sharp, it would take a brave man to bet against Benitez's men.

Liverpool's Lucas Leiva Expects Race For Fourth Place To Go To Wire

2010-02-28T18:02:00.000-08:00

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva admits that the fight to finish fourth in this season's Premier League may not be decided until the last day of the season.

Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are tussling with the Reds for that coveted Champions League place, but Lucas is confident that Rafael Benitez's team have the necessary backbone for the battle.

"It might even go right until the last game of the season to decide fourth place," he told the Reds' official website.

"We have difficult games against Manchester United and Chelsea, while [Manchester] City also have games against Tottenham, Arsenal, Aston Villa and [Manchester] United. It will be an interesting race and hopefully we can finish fourth.

"We kept another clean sheet against Manchester City which was a positive and I think we are stronger in defence now.

"At the beginning of the season we were conceding too many goals, especially from set pieces and we have improved a lot on this.

"We were disappointed not to win against City because we wanted the three points.

"We had the opportunity to go fourth but I think it will be the same until the end of the season with four teams battling for the Champions League place, and I hope we'll be there."

Liverpool welcome Blackburn Rovers to Anfield on Sunday afternoon and Lucas is looking for his side to claim an important three points.

"It's an important game for us because from our last two games we lost at Arsenal and drew with Manchester City, so we need the three points on Sunday," he said.

"We are in good form at home and have won our last five league games at Anfield. It will be important to keep the clean sheet first and then score goals to get the three points and stay in the race for the top-four.

"We drew 0-0 with them at Ewood Park in December but it was a game we could have won."

Liverpool 2 Blackburn Rovers 1

2010-02-28T17:55:00.000-08:00

Striker Fernando Torres marked his first start since 13th January by scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.

The Spain international hit his 13th goal in 17 Barclays Premier League appearances just before half-time, having missed five weeks at the start of the year after a knee operation.

Liverpool had gone ahead midway through the half with a goal from Steven Gerrard only for Jamie Carragher's handball to allow Keith Andrews to equalise from the penalty spot five minutes before the interval.

With fellow top-four challengers Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City both winning this weekend, it was imperative Rafael Benitez's side maintain the pressure - and they ground out a win against combative opponents.

But it was the goalscoring return of Torres that will have put a smile on Benitez's face as Liverpool scored for the 26th successive league game at Anfield and the 33rd in all competitions.

Surprisingly, the Spain international played no part in the opening goal, which came from a swift and incisive move started by Lucas on the halfway line.

The Brazilian picked out Gerrard who, after exchanging passes with Dirk Kuyt and offloading to Yossi Benayoun, continued his run into the penalty area to collect the return ball, go past Samba and clip home a left-footed shot.

That was after Chris Samba, Martin Olsson and Morten Gamst Pedersen had all had half-chances to put Blackburn ahead.

Liverpool, though, were indebted to Jose Reina in the 17th minute as the goalkeeper made a good double save from Pedersen, particularly the first shot which deflected off Jamie Carragher.

On the half-hour Kuyt could have made it 2-0 from Gerrard's corner but appeared to be surprised by the pace of the ball and headed wide from three yards.

In the 38th minute Liverpool were forced into a change when Fabio Aurelio limped off with what looked like a thigh injury and was replaced by Emiliano Insua.

Two minutes later Rovers were gifted an equaliser when Benayoun's weak clearance was played straight back into the penalty area and, despite three Liverpool players surrounding Kalinic, Carragher went to ground where the ball hit his hand.

Andrews fired home from the spot to put his side firmly back in the match.

However, Liverpool went ahead again a minute before the break when Samba could only poke the ball off Torres into the path of Rodriguez, who crossed into the six-yard area for the Spaniard to smash home.

Pascal Chimbonda's first act, having come on for Olsson, was to bring down Rodriguez as he threatened to cut into the penalty area.

Daniel Agger headed Gerrard's whipped-in free-kick over at the far post.

Chimbonda's second contribution was to carelessly give the ball away to Kuyt, which eventually resulted in Robinson having to tip Rodriguez's shot around the post.

Ryan Babel replaced Benayoun for the final 10 minutes but with only a slender lead the pressure began to mount on the hosts.

Torres departed to a standing ovation with his work done but in the knowledge he will have to continue to produce on a regular basis if his club are to secure Champions League football next season.

Steven Gerrard Demands Liverpool Show More Cutting Edge In Attack

2010-02-26T17:56:00.000-08:00

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has urged his side to front up and show more courage in going forward after several weeks of cautious, if solid, displays.

The Reds managed to score three against Unirea Urziceni in Romania on Thursday night to seal a place in the last 16 of the Europa League and now Gerrard wants to see similar goalscoring form in the Premier League.

The game against Unirea was the first time since September that Rafael Benitez's men had scored more than two goals in a match.

"It was slightly worrying that we were not creating enough," said Gerrard, according to Press Association Sport.

"To win football matches you have got to create a lot of chances and we did that.

"That's what made last night so pleasing. Now we've got to get the balance right between now and the end of the season.

"We haven't been good enough going forward and we haven't been creating enough, so it was nice to get three goals.

"It does play on your mind. The most important thing is to defend well and keep clean sheets but it is also important that you do well going forward."

The England international is pleased with the Reds' recent solidity but believes that now is the time to take a few more risks.

"I think we have shown over the last few games that we are back to defending well and are more solid and are working harder and results have improved," he added.

"We've still got to be good defensively but have a bit of bottle and be a bit risky in the final third as well. You have got to keep making chances."

Rafael Benitez Confirms Liverpool Defender Martin Skrtel Has Broken His Metatarsal

2010-02-26T17:52:00.000-08:00

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that the club's 4-1 aggregate triumph over Unirea Urziceni in the Europa League has been marred due to the injury sustained by defender during the midweek fixture.

The Slovakia international, who has accumulated 26 appearances in all competitions so far this season, has broken a metatarsal in his right foot.

"We were really disappointed after the game because it was a good result but then we had the bad news about Martin," Benitez reported on the club's official website.

"He's had x-rays today and they confirmed he has a broken metatarsal," the Spaniard added.

"We have to check over the next couple of days how long it will take to recover."

Benitez then added that roaming right-back Glen Johnson has returned to training with the first team squad.

"He's doing well. He was training today with the team - a light training session.

"I was watching him and he was quite sharp. But Sunday [home tie against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League] will be too soon."

Blackburn Rovers Striker El Hadji Diouf: It's Easy To Beat Liverpool

2010-02-26T17:48:00.000-08:00

Blackburn Rovers forward El Hadji Diouf looks set to raise a few more hackles on Merseyside, after claiming that it is not difficult to win at Liverpool any more.

The former Reds striker, who during a three-year spell at Anfield never looked anything like a player worth the £10 million Liverpool paid RC Lens for his services in 2002, claims that Rovers are far from scared about travelling to face Rafael Benitez's men.

Sam Allardyce's side have not won at Anfield since 1993, but the often controversial Diouf feels that that record could be about to change.

Often a target for jeers at away grounds, the Senegalese also insists that he can handle any boos which are directed his way.

"It is not difficult to go there and get a result," he told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"In England, everyone can beat anyone else. You see it season after season, a team like Watford will beat Manchester Untied even though they're going down.

"The boos are no problem. If I didn't get that, I couldn't play. I need people to give me that.

"I am a man and I need to show to the people I am a man."

Liverpool 1-0 Unirea Urziceni: Ngog Leaves It Late To Give Reds The Advantage

2010-02-18T18:53:00.000-08:00

Liverpool 1-0 Unirea Urziceni: Line-up & stats Europa League results/standings As classic Anfield European nights go, this will not live long in the memory of the Reds faithful but season continues to gather momentum as Rafa Benetiz men put one foot in the last 16 of the with a 1-0 victory over Unirea Urziceni.

Despite the victory the Reds struggled for 80 minutes against the resilient Romanian champions, but young Frenchman David Ngog stooped to head the winner following a Daniel Pacheco knockdown.

Rafa Benitez chose his strongest side available, dampening claims that the Spaniard was seeing this as a secondary competition to the Premier League. Jamie Carragher returned to the Liverpool starting line up after recovering from an abductor injury sustained against Arsenal.

The visitors hadn’t played a competitive game for two months due to the Romanian League winter break and Liverpool exposed their opponents lack of match practice inside 28 seconds. Dirk Kuyt cleverly picked out the on rushing Steven Gerrard who from twelve yards forced Gledruis Arlauskis into a smart save at his near post.

Roared on a by a boisterous Anfield crowd which was at full capacity, Liverpool continued to press in the early stages. Kuyt once again was at the heart of the move which saw his shot tipped wide by Arlauskis who was being kept unsurprisingly busy in the early stages.

Despite an energetic start, the hosts dropped the tempo mid-way through the first period and despite dominating possession, rarely threatened the Unirea five-man backline. An influx of corners, ten in fact, came and went, with Arlauskis unorthodox punching method proving effective as Liverpool continued to waste dangerous attacking situations.

Ngog had a snap shot from the edge of the box which trickled wide just before the break but Liverpool continued to frustrate the home faithful with a lack of conviction in the final third.

The second period continued in the same vein as the first, with the Romanian champions lacking any attacking threat but comfortably dealing with Liverpool’s ineffective slow passing game. Gerrard summed up the first 60 minutes of football with an uncharacteristic wayward volley which flew high into the Kop end.

When Liverpool finally did break in behind the stubborn Unirea backline thanks to a defence splitting pass by Carragher, Kuyt’s final ball was admirably dealt with by Joao Bruno Fernandes, who was a rock at the heart of the visitors defence throughout the evening.

For the remaining 15 minutes, it was a case of attack versus defence as Unirea sunk deeper and deeper in order to deal with the more direct Liverpool approach, which now included Ryan Babel and Pacheco who had been brought on by Benitez on to boost the Reds' attacking play.

The two substitutes combined to great effect with ten minutes remaining to give Liverpool the all important lead. Babel, who had made an instant impact, delivered a deep cross that was knocked back across the goalmouth by Pacheco and Ngog was on hand to steer the ball home from no more than three yards.

Unirea briefly rallied late on to try and grab an equalizer but their attempts were in vein as Liverpool held on to secure the victory.

Daniel Agger Confident Liverpool's Positive Attitude Can See Off Arsenal

2010-02-09T18:56:00.000-08:00

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger enjoyed the Reds' 1-0 win over neighbours Everton at the weekend and now wants the team to maintain their good form against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
In particular, the Dane wants to see a repeat of the kind of attitude and character that the side displayed against the Toffees.

"It was enjoyable but it was just three points," the 25-year-old told the Reds' official website.

"It was what we needed. We are fighting for fourth place and we got there but we'll just keep looking at every game.

"The physical challenge was good and was what we expected. It's all part of derby games. It was a tough game but we did well. We were well organised and when that is the case it's easier [to win].

"Everybody in the team has got the right attitude and we want to show that every time we go on the pitch. Now we want to get a good result at Arsenal.

"That is the most important thing. Arsenal are a good team but every week it is tough. We need to go with the same attitude we showed against Everton and see where it takes us."

Agger was sidelined for four games recently with a groin injury. He is optimistic now that his injury problems are behind him though.

"It has been annoying. I've done my best trying to play but it has been really difficult," he added.

"If you have something you can't play with even if you try you know you are not 100 per cent.

"It is so frustrating but you have to accept it is part of the game even though my injuries have not been that many, just big."

Liverpool's Javier Mascherano Defends Referee After Fierce Derby Against Everton

2010-02-08T18:29:00.000-08:00

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has defended has defended referee Martin Atkinson following Saturday's heated encounter with rivals .

Two players were dismissed, and another five were booked, in a game that will most likely be remembered for its rash tackles, rather than Dirk Kuyt's 55th-minute winner.

The dismissals of Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Steven Pienaar means there have now been 19 red cards in 36 Premier League derby showdowns.

"It was a very hard job for the referee because the players did not help him," Mascherano told The Liverpool Echo.

"It was a hard game with a lot of tackles but this is the way it is in derby matches, they don’t want to lose and we don’t want to lose. Sometimes you can see some hard tackles because of this.

"Soto [Kyrgiakos] said to us that he went for the ball, maybe he went in the wrong way but he went for the ball."

The red card for Kyrgiakos saw Mascherano forced to slot in as a makeshift right-back.

"Last season I played right-back against Sunderland," Mascherano said. "This time, it would have been difficult for the manager to make a sub at that time so maybe he preferred to move me into right-back and I tried to do my best.

"The way that we won made it even better. To be a man down for so long and to have to play with 10 men for almost 60 minutes was really difficult but the result shows how hard we worked.

"The most important thing is that the team continued to work hard and because of this we were able to win with 10 players.

"Maybe it wasn’t our best performance but the only thing that mattered was the win. Now we have to keep going."

Liverpool Analysis: Dirk Kuyt's Big-Match Mentality Makes Him Just As Important As Fernando Torres For Rafa Benitez

2010-02-08T18:22:00.000-08:00

To the casual football observer, Dirk Kuyt can appear something of a mystery. He might be a seasoned professional, with more than 50 caps for the , and have 200 career goals to his name, but the most famous son from the tiny Dutch fishing village of Katwijk aan Zee is not your average modern-day footballer.

On the pitch, the 29-year-old can appear sluggish, ungainly even. His first touch can have supporters apoplectic with rage, and his lack of genuine pace - on and off the ball - can make his right-wing position seem absurd.

But, as already noted, Kuyt is not your typical footballer. Just ask the Nepalese and Brazilian children helped out by the incredibly selfless charity foundation he runs with his wife, Gertrude. Failing that, just ask Rafa Benitez and the Liverpool supporters.

Saturday's 1-0 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton saw Benitez's Liverpool side stretch their unbeaten league run to seven matches, leapfrogging Tottenham Hotspur into the coveted fourth Champions League spot in the process. But lost amid the passion and aggression of a powderkeg Anfield atmosphere was a rather significant landmark for their Dutch destroyer.

Kuyt's winning goal was his 50th for Liverpool. And whilst a half-century scored in 177 games may not set the pulses racing, it is worth remembering that Kuyt has spent the bulk of his time at Anfield as a wide midfielder, and it is testament to his big-game mentality (and scoring record) that there is plenty of debate as to whether Saturday's strike was his most important.

The Dutchman is not the first Liverpool player to reach a milestone at Anfield this season, of course. Fernando Torres tore up the record books when he reached his 50th Premier League goal in just 72 games, and whilst Kuyt lacks the X-Factor and the marketability of his Spanish counterpart, there can be little doubting either man's importance to the Reds' cause.

Ironically, Torres' signing in 2007 could well have spelt the end of Kuyt's stay on Merseyside. The Dutchman had been brought in from Eredivisie giants Feyenoord a year previously for a healthy £10 million fee, and had the then-Spurs-manager Martin Jol declaring that Liverpool's new signing was a "20-20" player (20 goals and 20 assists a season).

It didn't quite work out like that in truth; Kuyt netted 14 times in his debut season in England, but Liverpool finished in a distant third place, and Benitez identified Torres as a more dynamic, prolific solution for the Reds' attack.

Lesser players - lesser characters - may have withered following the arrival of a new darling to Anfield. Not Kuyt. Benitez's decision to redeploy the former FC Utrecht man on the right of midfield raised more than a few eyebrows - pace is perhaps Kuyt's greatest weakness, after all - but the Spaniard sees through the aesthetic shortcomings, past the sensational headlines, and sees a man devoted to Liverpool.

Strike force | Torres' arrival sparked Kuyt form

In truth his second season at Anfield was easily his worst to date. He laboured through autumn and winter, dazzled in the glare of Torres, who was en route to a phenomenal debut-season total of 33 goals in all competitions.

But the knock-out stages of the Champions League brought Kuyt to life. Whilst even the best players are often accused of shirking their big-game duties, with Kuyt there is never an issue.

The opening goal against Inter at Anfield in the last-16, a critical equaliser at Arsenal in the quarter-finals, and the opener against Chelsea in the semis all followed. Kuyt's diligence in defence ensured his right-back was rarely exposed, his striker's instinct enabled him to pop up in the right place at the right time, just when Liverpool needed him.

There are still those who need convincing. Every summer Liverpool supporters implore Benitez to add some flair, some craft to the Reds' flanks. Kuyt's functional nature is all well and good, they say, but what about some guile, some mesmeric dribbling? They see Torres, the embodiement of the perfect modern-day centre forward - tall, strong, quick, prolific - and want that replicated all over the pitch.

Yet whilst every team would love a Torres (or 10 of them), the argument can be made that every team needs a Kuyt or two. Someone who gives you everything, every single week. Someone who leads by example, no matter the circumstances. It is no surprise that when Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were absent this season, Benitez handed the captaincy to Kuyt.

Of course this season has not been the best - for Liverpool or for Kuyt. The disappointment of a title-challenge which ended in October has hurt the club, as has their ludicrously-early exit from the Champions League. Injuries to key players has only exacerbated the sense of crisis which has - perhaps prematurely - gathered around Anfield.

Yet out of the ashes has risen a seven-game unbeaten run. And at the forefront of it has been guess who? Kuyt netted twice against Tottenham when the Reds were seemingly at rock-bottom, having been ushered out of the FA Cup by Reading; he grabbed the nerve-settling opener against Bolton; and on Saturday he continued his impressive goalscoring record against Everton with another critical strike. He now has four goals against the enemy - only Gerrard and Robbie Fowler have more in the Premier League era.

If Benitez were to listen to those demanding a new winger, he would have 50 clubs knocking on his door for his no. 18. The Kop may adore Torres for his goals and his grace, but they are well aware that in Kuyt they possess another very special footballer.

Not that the down-to-earth Dutchman would ever admit it, of course.

Liverpool Must Continue Winning Run, Starting At Arsenal - Steven Gerrard

2010-02-08T18:19:00.000-08:00

Since the goal-less draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers , Liverpool have beaten Bolton Wanderers and Everton and captain Steven Gerrard has called on his Reds to extend that form on the road, as the club take on at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

And the spirit shown in the 1-0 derby win over Everton on Saturday had Gerrard smiling.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "You always enjoy beating your local rivals but it was the way we did it that was really satisfying, particularly after losing a man after half an hour.

"I thought we showed fantastic character, a great attitude and I also thought we played some decent stuff at times. I thought it was a fully deserved win.

"You could see what it meant to everyone on the pitch at the end and it was the same again in the dressing room afterwards; everybody is still on a high.

"Now we have got to take that high into the next game," the Englishman said.

"It's a tough one, Arsenal away always is. But we have used beating Everton as a platform in the past and we've got to do it again. We want to extend our run and go on to better things."

The successful shut-out against Everton ensured that Pepe Reina has kept his sheet clean since Robert Huth's last gasp equalising goal for Stoke City in mid-January.

Gerrard, while urging for a win against a deflated Arsenal side who suffered a second successive loss at the weekend to Chelsea, warned his own side against complacency, indicating that their top four finish is not yet complete.

"We know there is a long way to go and we want to make sure we are in the top four at the end of the season," he added.

"It's performances like this that will get you in there. We have got to try and keep this run going, as we can't afford any slip-ups.

"There is pressure coming from Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa

"There are a couple of very tough games coming up but if we can show what we have done in the last six games, I don't see why we can't maintain it."

Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez Confident Of Bringing Standard Liege's Milan Jovanovic To Anfield

2010-02-08T18:14:00.000-08:00

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists that he is certain Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic will be headed in the direction of Merseyside.

There was some talk of the Serbia international having signed a pre-contract agreement with the Reds, but a source recently told Goal.com UK that the 28-year-old was still unsure of a move to Anfield due to the speculation surrounding Benitez's future.

However, the former Valencia coach is certain that the two parties will come to an agreement in due course.

"Nothing is sorted yet, but I’m confident it will be," said Benitez, according to the Daily Mail.

Jovanovic will be available on a free transfer from Liege in the summer, with Fiorentina, Milan and Valencia also believed to be interested in securing the player's signature.

Report: Manchester United, Liverpool And Tottenham Hotspur Ready As Manchester City Look To Sell Stephen Ireland

2010-02-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

Questions over the Irish playmaker's future at Eastlands have arisen following the Sky Blues' January pursuit of Parma star McDonald Mariga, who ended up joining Inter instead.

And with Real Madrid schemer Fernando Gago still on Mancini's radar, a number of big clubs are said to be queueing up in anticipation of Ireland being made available at season's end.

Manchester United head a group of long-term admirers that also includes Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, with Sir Alex Ferguson a particularly big fan of the 23-year-old.

Ireland's value has skyrocketed since last season, when he shook off a series of prior controversies to establish himself as City's main man with 13 goals in all competitions.

Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez: I 'Cannot Ask For More' From My Players

2010-02-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has showered his team with praise saying he "cannot ask for more" from his charges following the victory at Anfield over their cross-town rivals .

Sotirios Kyrgiakos was sent off for a horrific challenge on Marouane Fellaini in the first-half, with the Belgian lucky not to have seen a red himself for his part in the crunching two-way tackle.

Despite being a man short, the hosts went on the score through a set-play in the second period, when skipper Steven Gerrard sent a precise cross to striker Dirk Kuyt, whose glancing header ensured that the Kopites went home happy.

Now, probably with renewed optimism, the Spanish gaffer has Wednesday's trip to the Emirates on his mind.

"Hopefully we'll have more confidence for the next game against Arsenal, we are doing much better and we won today with 10 players so we cannot ask for more," he said.

"It was an amazing performance from the team.

"It's a massive result for us. I felt the fans were behind the team working so hard and we were defending well and dangerous on the counter-attack.

"The commitment of our players was fantastic so everything was positive."

The former Valencia boss reserved special praise for Kuyt, who has a reputation for scoring in big games and whose header against the Toffees was his 50th goal for the club.

Benitez added: "He is an amazing player who works hard, scores goals, especially against Everton."

Liverpool Deserved Victory Over Everton - Dirk Kuyt

2010-02-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt insists that the Reds deserved the 1-0 victory over their arch-rivals Everton in the 213th Merseyside derby.

The hosts were down to ten men in the first-half after the sending off of Sotirios Kyrgiakos, but a goal from the Dutchman - who has a history of scoring in important games - ensured that the three points went to Rafael Benitez's charges.

"It was a very tough game, especially after the red card," said Kuyt.

"But I think we defended really well today. Great set piece and great corner from Stevie.

"That's what we had to do. When you're down to ten men you don't get many chances so we have to take everything from the set pieces.

"He [Toffees' goalkeeper Tim Howard] pushed me all the time with [Phil] Neville, but when the delivery came I thought I had a small chance and I hit it, so was very happy with it."

The 29-year-old maintained that the team will savour the victory tonight, and start preparations in the morning for the blockbuster encounter against Arsenal on Wednesday.

He added: "We will enjoy today, but from tomorrow we have to focus on Arsenal and hopefully we can have the same result and keep getting the points but I think we had a great effort today and a well-deserved win."

Liverpool Striker Dirk Kuyt Admits To Feeling Under Pressure To Perform

2010-02-04T23:14:00.000-08:00

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt admits that he feels under pressure to carry his side’s fortunes in the absence of his injured team-mates.

The Anfield club have been without key men Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson for large parts of their troubled campaign, and as one of the senior players, the onus has been on Kuyt to perform in their absence.

"Of course you feel a responsibility," he told a press conference ahead of Saturday’s derby against rivals Everton.

"Everyone in the team feels a responsibility and it is very hard when you are missing your best players. We have missed Torres for a while, Stevie [Gerrard] couldn't play every game and Glen Johnson has a bad injury, it makes it very difficult.

"Any other team, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, would struggle as well, but you can't think about this.

"You have to try to do it with the players who are fit at the moment.

"What we have done really well is keep working hard. We have been a bit unlucky with a couple of injuries, but the players are coming back and we are getting stronger and stronger. Once they are back we will all learn that it makes us stronger.

"Things are definitely changing, but we can't relax. We have to look forward and get the goals in."

Liverpool enter Saturday’s game on a six-match unbeaten run - both in the league and against their Merseyside rivals.

Should Kuyt score it would be his 50th for the Anfield club, and Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee admitted he would welcome any goal which secures victory for the Reds.

"It would be nice for him to score in the derby and get his 50, but it would be nice for anyone to score," he said.

"It's good for us that we have got goals going in from different areas. We are without Fernando, which has been well documented, but the lads are working hard and we have got players like Dirk who can score."

Liverpool v Everton Special: Why Do So Many Players See Red In The Merseyside Derby?

2010-02-04T22:34:00.000-08:00

Who has got the hardest job at the Merseyside derby this Saturday?

Is it , who is looking to stave off the wolves from his door and lead to a seventh league game unbeaten? Or , who must battle injuries and history to secure a first success at Anfield in more than nine years? How about the stewards, who will need to be alert to the growing sense of animosity between the two sets of supporters?

No, it's none of the above. One man can lay claim to having the most difficult, and arguably the most important, role in the 213th meeting of Merseyside’s top dogs – referee Martin Atkinson.

For whilst the tired old cliché of form ‘going out of the window’ when it comes to derbies may be overplayed, there are some things you certainly can rely on when Red meets Blue on Merseyside.

It is remarkable to think that in the first nine derbies of the Premier League era, neither side picked up a red card - especially considering the combatiive instincts of the likes of Duncan Ferguson, Dave Watson and Neil Ruddock.

But more remarkable is that, in the 26 subsequent games, an incredible 17 players have been dismissed. To put that into context, the Manchester derby has seen just five red cards in 35 games, whilst the North London version has registered just seven.

The first Merseyside derby red cards of the Premier League era came in April 1997, with Liverpool’s Robbie Fowler and Everton’s David Unsworth dismissed after a scuffle late in the sides’ 1-1 draw. In truth it was a pretty soft pair of dismissals, Fowler reacting to some robust treatment from Unsworth and triggering a mini-brawl. But the seeds were sown.

The fact that Fowler and Unsworth, at the time, encapsulated their respective clubs perfectly should not go unnoticed. Fowler was the brash, swaggering goal-machine who had turned his back on his boyhood club to become Liverpool’s talisman. Whilst Unsworth was a conscientious, dedicated, yet ultimately limited defender, who has become a cult hero at Goodison Park. It was almost inevitable that something would eventually give, but few could have predicted the avalanche of cards that would follow.

It could be argued that it has become easier to pick up red and yellow cards over the years, hence the upward trend in dismissals. But that does not explain why the Merseyside derby remains far and away the most ill-disciplined fixture in the Premier League. It seems that the Stanley Park neighbours simply bring out the worst in each other.

Everton’s last win at Anfield came in September 1999, but more memorable than Kevin Campbell’s winning goal at the Kop End is the sight of Reds' keeper Sander Westerveld and Blues' forward Francis Jeffers scrapping their way to an early bath. The images of the 6ft-plus Westerveld struggling against the diminutive Jeffers are amongst the fixture's most farcical. The red cards were deserved if only for the pathetic nature of the 'fight'.

Fisticuffs | Westerveld and Jeffers go toe-to-toe

A 19-year-old Steven Gerrard would follow the pair down the tunnel later on after raking six-studs down Campbell’s thigh, as the game finished with Liverpool’s nine-men (including defender Steve Staunton in goal) against Everton’s ten. Gerrard recalls Jeffers welcoming him as he trudged down the Anfield tunnel with the words "Ha ha, nice one Stevie, you took the pressure off me!".

Gerrard is one of two players to have picked up two red cards in derbies (Everton skipper Phil Neville is the other), after he was given his marching orders less than 20 minutes into the Reds’ 3-1 victory at Anfield in March 2006. "The red mist still lingers, especially in derbies," wrote Gerrard in his autobiography.

Everton fans still insist that Liverpool’s captain should have a hat-trick of derby dismissals on his CV, after a two-footed lunge on Blues defender Gary Naysmith went unpunished in December 2002, but it is interesting to note that it is the two club captains who have set the worst example in recent years. Not that their team-mates have needed much encouragement to follow.

Of the current sides, Gerrard, Neville, Tim Cahill, Tony Hibbert and Mikel Arteta have all seen red in Premier League derbies, whilst Lucas Leiva was sent off as Everton dumped Liverpool out of the FA Cup in February of last year. Even relatively mild-mannered performers such as Milan Baros and Andy van der Meyde have fallen foul of the red mist which seems to hang in the air on derby day.

With some bookmakers likely to offer odds of around 7/1 on there being a red card at Anfield on Saturday, punters would be well advised to consider a flutter. The only question seems to be, who will be the (un)lucky recipient?

Liverpool's Rafael Benitez: I Did Not Speak To Juventus, And I'm Not Leaving Anfield

2010-02-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

Rafael Benitez has released a prepared statement in which he explicitly denies having had any contact with Italian club , and pledges his future to .

The Spaniard has been heavily linked with the vacant position in Turin after the sacking of Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara and Liverpool's erratic form so far this season.

However, Benitez has firmly refuted all such reports.

"Contrary to reports in the Italian media this weekend, I want to make it absolutely clear I have no agreement with Juventus and have not and will not be meeting Juventus or their representatives or any other club," Benítez told Liverpool's official website.

"I have a long term contract with Liverpool and I'll repeat what I said on Friday that I am happy here and my only focus is to do my job as well as I can to get the team back into to the top four, beginning with the derby against Everton."

Liverpool 2 Bolton Wanderers 0

2010-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Liverpool kept up the pressure in the race for fourth place in the Barclays Premier League with victory over Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.

Dirk Kuyt's 49th strike for the club and Kevin Davies' own goal either side of half-time eventually proved enough in a performance which was lacking a touch of class if not endeavour.

Rafael Benitez's side are now unbeaten in six league matches, in which they have conceded just once, and remain on course to deliver the manager's "guarantee" of Champions League football next season.

It was also the first time this campaign they have shut out opponents on three successive occasions, which contributed to a fourth-successive home victory.

And with captain Steven Gerrard shackled for long periods by the man-marking job of Fabrice Muamba the side needed inspiration from somewhere but struggled to find a cutting edge without star striker Fernando Torres, who is still several weeks away from fitness.

When Gerrard did see the ball his back-heel from Jamie Carragher's pass released David Ngog in the area but his cross-shot from the byline looped up off Zat Knight and into the arms of Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Wanderers were managing to crowd out Liverpool's tight passing game in and around the penalty area but when they did break free Emiliano Insua flashed a cross through the six-yard box with Kuyt just unable to reach.

The hosts were indebted to Sotirios Kyrgiakos for clearing Lee Chung-Yong's shot off the line after the South Korean's diagonal run from the right took him past both centre-backs and goalkeeper Jose Reina, making his 100th consecutive Premier League appearance.

Liverpool's pressure eventually paid off in the 37th minute with a move started by Albert Riera's inch-perfect crossfield pass to Insua on the left wing.

The Argentinian defender crossed to the far post where Alberto Aquilani jumped highest to head back into the six-yard area, and Kuyt stabbed home through Gary Cahill's legs.

Bolton thought they had won a penalty seconds before half-time when Lee tumbled in the penalty area under Aquilani's challenge but referee Steve Bennett booked the South Korean for diving.

Eight minutes into the second half Ngog should have given Liverpool some breathing space but fluffed his big chance.

Jaaskelainen saved Gerrard's first-time shot from Riera's cross but the young French striker bundled the rebound into the floor six yards out and it bounced off the outside of the post and went wide.

Gerrard tested Jaaskelainen with a driven 25-yard shot which the goalkeeper parried low to his right before the replacement of Aquilani with Lucas led to the second goal.

The Brazilian midfielder headed Riera's deep cross back for Ngog to lay the ball off to Insua who drove in a shot which was heading wide until it deflected off Davies to wrong-foot Jaaskelainen.

Kuyt's late dribble left Knight on the floor and his cross had to be turned over the crossbar by Gretar Steinsson as the pressure continued on Bolton until the final whistle.

Juventus President Jean-Claude Blanc Flies Out To Liverpool To Present Rafael Benitez With An Offer

2010-01-29T02:45:00.000-08:00

Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc is taking swift action to land boss Rafael Benitez sooner rather than later, claims Il Corriere Dello Sport.

The report claims Blanc has changed his strategy in terms of replacing current coach Ciro Ferrara. He has flown to Liverpool in order to untangle the issues surrounding Benitez and convince him to leave Anfield with immediate effect.

Blanc will use the unease in Merseyside to help sway Benitez. Liverpool's financial woes, as well as uncertainties between the club's board and the Spaniard could help push the move in Juve's favour.

However, there are no guarantees that Blanc's enthusiasm will pay off. As a result, Juve have deployed a second plan that will see Roberto Bettega in charge of bringing a short-term replacement that will take the team forwards until the end of the season.

Alberto Zaccheroni and Claudio Gentile are the favourites for this option. Further developments are expected and an announcement could arrive by the end of Thursday night's Coppa Italia fixture.

Juventus Offer Rafa Benitez €3m Net Salary To Leave Liverpool - Report

2010-01-29T02:37:00.000-08:00

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez remains a target for Juventus, who are prepared to offer the Spaniard a €3 million (£2.6m) annual salary in order to tempt him to Italy, according to a report from The Independent.

Benitez reportedly earns £4.6m a year gross at Anfield, but Juve apparently feel that they can use the Italian tax system to their advantage and pay the tax on Benitez's proposed salary themselves.

That would mean that the Spaniard's net earnings would be higher than they are at Liverpool.

One potential stumbling block to any deal reportedly remains the high number of coaching staff Benitez might want to take with him to Juve.

However, the Serie A side are believed to have been assured that Benitez would only want to bring two of his sizeable Anfield staff with him in the shape of Mauricio Pellegrino and his goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero.

He would also apparently accept an Italian assistant manager, a matter of principle to the club.

Benitez's agent has not distanced his client from the speculation, which is viewed in some quarters as a means by which the Spaniard can reinforce his position at Anfield, where his future as Liverpool boss is likely to be reviewed in the summer.

Liverpool Forward Dirk Kuyt's Agent Dismisses Link With Juventus

2010-01-28T01:51:00.000-08:00

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt 's agent has claimed that he has heard nothing from despite the reports linking the Dutchman with a move to the Italian giants.

Juve boss Cio Ferrara is likely to be sacked in the next few days, according to reports in Italy, with Reds gaffer Rafa Benitez being strongly tipped as his likely successor.

That in turn has led to suggestions that Kuyt might follow the Spaniard to Italy.

But Kuyt's representative, Robert Jansen, stated that there is no truth to the rumours.

"I know nothing of Juventus' interest," he told Calciomercato.it.

"No-one has contacted us at the moment. He is now happy at Liverpool where he has two more years of his contract left."

However, with the player enjoying a close working relationship with his manager, Jansen did not rule out a possible move in the future.

"The relationship with Benitez is excellent," he explained.

"If Dirk could follow Rafa when he becomes the next coach of Juventus? I don't know. I cannot answer these questions now."

Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez Left Frustrated After Draw At Wolverhampton Wanderers

2010-01-28T01:46:00.000-08:00

Rafael Benitez admitted his side missed an opportunity to close the gap on the top four after a frustrating goalless draw against .

The Reds failed to break down a stubborn Wolves defence at Molineux, leaving them three points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place.

Benitez felt it was a case of two points dropped against the Midlands club.

"If you analyse our position in the table, then maybe [it was two points dropped]," he told the club's official website. "If you analyse the game then it was fair enough.

"In the first half we were in control, we didn't create clear chances and the final pass in the final third was the difference.

"In the second half they were pushing harder and we had to defend, but we still had some good counterattacks. Again the final pass was the difference. If you analyse the game, then the result is fair."

On a frustrating night at Molineux, the Liverpool boss was keen to look for positives and was encouraged by the return of skipper Steven Gerrard and new signing Maxi Rodriguez playing his first full game for the club.

"We know that Steve is a key player for us and clearly he has to work on his match fitness because you can see the difference when he is fully fit," Benitez said.

"Maxi was good in possession. He played the 90 minutes and could see the difference between the Spanish league and this one."

Liverpool Should Have Sacked Rafael Benitez By Now - John Aldridge

2010-01-12T02:59:00.000-08:00

Rafael Benitez is the man to blame for Liverpool's on-field troubles this season and is lucky to still have his job, according to club legend John Aldridge.

“This is the lowest point in my lifetime as a Liverpool fan,” the Anglo-Irish former striker is quoted in Nuts magazine as saying.

“Rafa's departure would be an upheaval but he would've lost his job by now if he was at another top club. The question is - do Liverpool have the money to pay off the remainder of his contract?”

The Spanish tactician penned a new five-year contract last year, and his multi-million annual salary means termination of that deal could cost the Reds in the vicinity of £20m - a sum the club evidently cannot afford.

The financial problems at Anfield will only deepen if Champions League qualification is not secured, and that looks a distinct possibility at present with Benitez's side sitting seventh in the Premier League.

“Liverpool must finish in the top four, whatever it takes,” Aldridge continued.

“Anything else would be a disaster for the club already weighed down in debt. Sadly, I can't see any way they'll claim that final Champions League spot - unless they get back on track soon.

“Benitez can't claim injuries are the problem, as both [Fernando] Torres and [Steven] Gerrard are now fit and playing.

“However, he’s still employing baffling tactics - such as sending out a defensive team against the Premier League's bottom club [Portsmouth] and getting beaten.”

Many have speculated on the key causes for Liverpool's sudden slump this season, given that they came within four points of ending their title drought last term.

No few column inches have been devoted to the subject of Xabi Alonso's summer exit, but Aldridge feels the problem is more in attack rather than midfield.

He said: “Torres and Gerrard need support! Apparently, Real Madrid's Ruud van Nistelrooy fancies coming to Liverpool and I reckon he'd be an excellent short-term option.

“I'd also try to bring in the Celtic's Aiden McGeady and even Bolton's Kevin Davies.

“Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch, Craig Bellamy and Michael Owen could all be wearing Liverpool colours today, yet Rafa relies on an untested kid in David Ngog to start in big games?

“Now he's reaping the rewards of letting his best players leave.”

Mick Maguire, Goal.com UK

Liverpool's FA Cup Tie With Reading Set To Go Ahead As Scheduled

2010-01-11T17:27:00.000-08:00

By Nick Price

Liverpool's FA Cup replay against Reading is due to go ahead as planned on Wednesday 13th January, despite Sunday's game at Anfield against Tottenham being postponed,according to The Wokingham Times.

The third round tie sees the two teams facing each other for their second consecutive games, with both sides not playing since their 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium on 2nd January.

Both sides will be hoping that the game goes ahead to avoid a fixture pile-up as their postponed games over the weekend will have to be rearranged.

Conditions are expected to improve in the North West and the game is set to be played, with the Royals hoping to replicate their impressive performance against the Reds.

World Cup 2010: Fernando Torres Believes Spain Won’t Waste 'Big Chance' In South Africa

2010-01-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres has assured Spanish fans that La Furia Roja will not waste their “big chance” in South Africa this summer.

Speaking to fifa.com, Torres admitted that Spain had a “bad day” against USA in the Confederations Cup semi-final and that they have learned from their mistakes.

“We’ve realised that anybody can have a bad day,” he said, “and that a bad day puts you out of the World Cup. That was made very clear to us at the Confederations! But we now know what we have to do so it doesn’t happen again.”

‘El Nino’ went on to say that the current Spanish squad remains humble and despite being touted by many as the best team in the world right now, won’t be taking anything for granted.

“I think that the squad’s always has its feet on the ground. Humility is the hallmark of this Spanish national side."

Asked about his reaction to recent statements from Brazilian legend Pele who admitted Spain reminded him of the classic 1970 Brazil team, the former Atletico Madrid man responded positively, but also admitted that the comments may just see La Roja become marked men.

“It’s an added motivation for us. However, that’s also a warning shot for our opponents and will make them more defensive against us. Let’s hope that once the World Cup is over we can say that Pele was right.”

Finally, Torres admitted he is well aware of just how big an opportunity this summer's World Cup is for Spain.

“South Africa 2010 is our big chance and we don’t want to waste it”

Rupert Fryer, Goal.com

Real Madrid Midfielder Xabi Alonso Backs Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez

2010-01-11T17:16:00.000-08:00

By Alan Dawson

Real Madrid 's deep-lying playmaking midfielder Xabi Alonso , who swapped Liverpool 's Anfield for the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer, has offered his support to to his former manager Rafael Benitez.

"There is no questioning that he is a good manager who can still bring success for Liverpool," Alonso is quoted to have told Sky Sports.

"He doesn't operate the same way to a lot of other managers, but you can't deny that he is successful in what he does.

"He keeps his distance emotionally - you are the player and he is the manager and that's the way he likes it. You have to accept that.

"I will always respect Rafa for what he has done in football but, more importantly, I will always be massively grateful to him for the chance he gave me to join Liverpool."

Alonso, though, did concede that the persistent speculation linking then-Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry with a transfer to the Merseyside outfit was the catalyst for his desire to crave a Real switch.

He said in the People: "The pursuit of Gareth Barry took some time for me to accept and, in all honesty, it changed the course of my future.

"I did get over it but it did take time for me to accept what had happened to me.

"Leaving Liverpool was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but after what happened with Barry I knew in my heart I had to tell Rafa that I wanted to go to Madrid when they came knocking at the door.

"I was still fairly young when I joined Liverpool and I had not only grown into the player I'd become there, but also the man I'd become."

Tom Hicks Jr Resigns As Liverpool Director

2010-01-11T05:32:00.000-08:00

By Zack Wilson

Liverpool have today announced that Tom Hicks Jr has left his position as a director at both the club and its parent company.

A statement on the club's official website reads:

"Liverpool Football Club today announce that Thomas Hicks Jr has resigned as a director of both the club and its parent company Kop Holdings.

"Three new directors have been elected to the boards of both companies.

These are Philip Nash, LFC Chief Financial Officer; Ian Ayre, LFC Commercial Director; and Casey Coffman, Executive Vice President of Hicks Holdings."

The news follows stories that emerged at the weekend regarding an angry and allegedly abusive email sent to a supporter by Hicks Jr for which he later apologised.

Pressure had mounted for Hicks Jr to resign after he responded to an email from concerned fan Stephen Horner by reportedly writing: "Blow me, ****face. Go to hell. I’m sick of you."

The Spirit of Shankly supporters' group, an organisation committed to ridding the Anfield club of its American owners, issued statement over the weekend calling for Hicks Jr to resign, as well as expressing wider concerns about the state of the club.

Arsenal & Liverpool Target Marouane Chamakh To Announce Decision By End Of January

2010-01-11T05:28:00.000-08:00

Girondins de Bordeaux striker is set to reveal where he is headed at the end of January, according to The Sun.

There has been widespread speculation surrounding the player's future, particularly in the last 12 months, as the Morocco international's contract with the Ligue 1 outfit is set to expire at the end of the season.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for the highly rated forward, but Liverpool have reportedly pipped them in the race to secure the player's signature during the summer.

Presently, the Bordeaux hitman has allegedly revealed that he will announce his destination soon, as he is quoted as saying: "I'll give my answer by the end of January."

Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with a move for Chamakh.

BREAKING NEWS: Liverpool's Andriy Voronin Signs For Dinamo Moscow

2010-01-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

Ukrainian striker Andriy Voronin has sealed sealed a switch to on a three-contract, bringing to an end his sub-standard spell with .

The 30-year old moved to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2007 but struggled to hold down a regular first team place, and after the arrival of Fernando Torres he was farmed out on loan to German side Hertha Berlin.

However, since his return he has spent the majority of the time on the sidelines, and now coach Rafa Benitez has deemed him surplus to requirements. Voronin managed just 5 goals in 40 appearances during his time in England.

The Russian side confirmed the deal on their official website, and the fee is thought to be in the region of €2m.

Voronin said of the move, “I had options to continue my career in Germany, and several in Russia, but in the end I opted for Dinamo [Moscow].

“I liked the professional approach of the leaders of the Moscow club during the negotiations, and I also liked the conversation with head coach Andrey Kobelev. I believe the Russian league is of a very good level.”

Paul Macdonald, Goal.com

Liverpool could lose Fernando Torres by failing to finish in top four - Rafael Benitez

2010-01-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

By Adithya Ananth

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that the club could lose striker if they fail to finish in the top four and secure football next season.

The Reds currently lie in seventh place in the Premier League, having lost seven games from their 20 so far. Despite being only four points away from the much sought after fourth spot, Benitez concedes that a failure to finish among the English elite could see 'El Nino' being sold to relieve the financial pressure.

"Finishing in the top four is the key to keeping everyone together," Benitez said, according to The Guardian.

The former Valencia boss played dodge-ball when quizzed as to whether the club would be willing to accept a £100 million offer for their prized asset, saying: "At the moment we have to do the best for the club - and the best for the club is trying to improve the squad."

But when pressed further, Benitez added: "We would have a conversation and decide what's the best for the club."

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani feeling 'reborn'

2010-01-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

By Adithya Ananth

Liverpool midfielder insists that he is feeling "reborn" after recovering from a long-term injury, and that he intends to help the Reds pick up the pieces of a shattered season.

The Merseyside giants have endured several false dawns, with the injury-plagued Italian making only five Premier League appearances so far following his big-money switch from Roma.

"I feel reborn and I want to smash the world," Aquilani is quoted by the News of the World as saying.

"It was so hard being all that time without playing.

"Believe me when I say to you that watching your team-mates training and playing while you do nothing but physiotherapy, gym exercises and routines in the swimming pool for rehabilitation is really difficult.

"But now that is over. I am fine and I just want to put it all behind me and not think about anything but playing.

"The rest will follow. If I remain in good health, I know I can play at a certain high level.

"I know I have the confidence of the manager [Rafael Benitez], the rest of the management and my new team-mates.

"I know what I am worth on a football pitch and I want to do my absolute best in a very difficult season like this for the club and the fans."

To Goal.com

Liverpool May Be Forced To Sell Fernando Torres To Compete In The Champions League

2010-01-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

In the midst of a UEFA financial crackdown, cash-strapped may be forced to sell their talisman .

According to the Daily Mail, Michel Platini is close to establishing strict financial criteria clubs must meet in order to participate in the Champions League.

Clubs that make consecutive losses over three seasons will be barred from the competition if the new regulations are passed by the UEFA organisation.

Clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be in trouble as both's respective owners have been writing off their clubs huge debts.

Chelsea posted a £44.4million loss last season which was their sixth consecutive season posting a massive loss.

Manchester City posted losses of £92m in Sheik Mansour’s first year of ownership and could match Chelsea's record loss of £140m from 2005 in the coming years.

With Liverpool posting a loss of £40.9m in 2008, the £40m sale of Torres would help offset the loss and allow the club to participate in the competition.

If Chelsea, Manchester City or Liverpool have any ambitions in the Champions League, the new proposed regulations might hinder their opportunities.

West Ham United's Matthew Upson On Liverpool Shortlist

2010-01-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

Following the sale of Andrea Dossena to Napoli, combined with the injury to regular right-back , manager is expected to make an addition to his defensive ranks, and The Times claim that a deal for could be made imminently.
manager Gianfranco Zola, however, is keen to keep hold of his regular stars, so should Benitez stand firm on a transfer for Upson, he may have to pen a large cheque.

Zola recently told the Mirror: "I know I have good players in my team and it is normal that teams are looking for them. I am confident we can keep our best players.

"I don't think we have had an enquiries so far. I haven't been told so. I am confident I can keep them here.

"I don't deal with these things (transfers). I am just dealing with the players we have and I try to make them happy to stay here."

Liverpool have also been linked with moves for Hammers stars Carlton Cole and Scott Parker.

Rafael Benitez Insists He Is Staying Put And Planning Summer Signings For Liverpool

2010-01-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

Contrary to speculation linking to other clubs, the manager insists he's remaining at Anfield for the long-haul and has already started masterminding a summer spending.

The Spaniard has been linked to Real Madrid and Inter Milan and was reportedly disappointed not to have funds available to spend in the January transfer window. However, he adament he’s going no where.

"When I decided to sign a new contract less than a year ago it was because I wanted to stay. I gave my word and I want to fight and I will fight until the end," he told the Daily Mirror.

"At this moment we have to do the best for the club [Liverpool] and this means accepting the situation and trying to do our best.

"We have people who are monitoring every player. We will try to do something now but we also have to think about the future - we have to keep improving the squad."

Tony Corbin, Goal.com UK

Quotes Of The Week: Badboy Balotelli Blasts 'Disgusting' Verona

2010-01-09T02:42:00.000-08:00

They Say: "I do not know if he has signed with another team or not, but the truth is that if he did I would be disappointed." Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be on a free transfer in the summer. Is it the player or the massive cheque he will miss most???

"The rest is half-cheating. Other clubs have artificial income from owners. They do not live off the money from the game." Arsene's also who buy their way to success.

"I am disappointed by the lack of attention, efforts and professionalism..........As long as things do not change, I am responsible, but at the same time I'm going to seek solutions and find players that do not disappoint me," Atletico Madrid coach in the Copa del Rey.

star is hoping for Champions League & World Cup success in the summer: "In 2010 I hope to win the Champions League with Real Madrid and also, to play and win the World Cup with Argentina." Two words on why that probably won't happen.... Diego Maradona.

"I know the club has financial problems but I have no intention of leaving. Nobody has asked me and I don’t want to leave," Jermain Pennant . What do Zaragoza want?

After continued racial abuse SuperMario Balotelli isn't shy about :

"Every time I come to play in Verona , the city disgusts me even more," he said. Can't see him hosting a TV travel show when he retires.

He rowed back on his criticism somewhat, adding: ""I am not angry with Verona . I like the city a lot, so much so that I went to see Juliet's house with a friend." O Mario, Mario, wherefore art thou Mario?

"Balotelli is just a little kid who is immature and presuming. He will never be a champion," the Mayor of Verona, Flavio Tosi, .
accepts the from the Barcelona fans:

"I can understand why they would jeer me because this is Barca and the level of play demanded is very high."

Team-mate Sergio Busquets : "I would not whistle any players from my team, and much less because of how things have been going."

We Say:

"With a fan club decreasing by the game, Dimitar Berbatov also offered no solution to the critics’ barbs that castigate his big money arrival at Old Trafford. When the chips are down, the Bulgarian is rarely present to pick up the pieces," Matt Monaghan's Man United comment on misfiring hitman Dimitar Berbatov. But he's the new Cantona! Isn't he????

"In truth Gerrard was as guilty as anyone. The skipper was deployed in central midfield alongside Lucas in a conventional, and increasingly rare, 4-4-2 system, but there were few signs that Liverpool's talisman is approaching anything like the form he is capable of," Neil Jones, sees of Liverpool 's shining knight.

"But a recent revival under new trainer, Quique Sanchez Flores has given the club and their disillusioned fans some hope," KS Leong againstRecreativo de Huelva on Wednesday.

"He’s got used to being a supporting actor for much of his recent career, but — for a short time at least — might just find himself back as a headline act." Chelsea analyst Alex Dimond reckons the while Michael Essien is away.

"And there is no reason why a team which finished second last season with largely the same players should need a whole lot of tinkering," Neil Jones to finish in the top four. Aim low and you will never be disappointed.

"For him to reel off three successive 'player of the month' triumphs, the last two ahead of the consistent Alex Song, is confirmation that he is maturing into the kind of influential player that many experts widely predicted he would become," The 'him' Arsenal expert Tim Collings is the one and only Cesc Fabregas.

You Say:

"I'm a Barca fan .. Even If I Was Chygrinsky's Brother I would Have Wistled And Jeered Him. He Was A DISASTER !" Shadi in Leb thinks the whistles at Chygrynskiy are justified.

"Even though i'm a liverpool fan, i must admit that reading looked like the premier league outfit and Liverpool looked like a side from the Maldive islands," Shibukawa in Male', Maldives doesn't think much of Liverpool's efforts in the FA Cup.

"Liverpool are going to win the premier league this season, since after beating Tottenham on sunday, we will go on a 17 match winning streak, that makes it to 87 points for us," FiveStarGeneral in Kenya wins the award for the most optimistic Liverpool fan in the history of mankind.

"the owners of liverpool do not want them in the top 4 finish," maikel in maastricht , got a book on how to start a consiracy theory for Christmas.

"man utd need a goalkeeper... no need for world class... just a decent one. Van der Sar is finished.. Foster & Kuszczak are funny." GK Scout has little faith in the men between the sticks at Old Trafford.

"Too many false dawns arsenal should try nd win d f.a cup.thats d only thing they can realisticaly win!" Najeeb in KD that the Gunners can win the Premier League.

Get reading and typing for your chance to be featured in the next edition of Quotes of the Week!

Liverpool & Tottenham Hostpur Clash Postponed Due To The Weather

2010-01-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

Liverpool 's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur has been postponed for safety reasons.

Liverpool had earlier appealed to Premier League to call-off the fixture, due to the severe weather conditions that had hit the city.

An earlier statement on the Reds' official website read:

"Liverpool Football Club have submitted an official request to the Premier League that Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash against Tottenham be called off for safety reasons.

"Discussions with the Premier League are currently taking place and more news will be announced as soon as a final decision is made."

Reports indicate that the Anfield club are concerned about the safety of travelling supporters as well as fans around the stadium after England was hit with heavy snow this week.

With temperatures expected to drop as low as -7 C in the north of England tonight, problems are anticipated across the region as the snow freezes and renders conditions treacherous.

Goal.com UK

Liverpool Comment: Rafa Benitez's Mixed Signals Leave Ryan Babel In Limbo

2010-01-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

How ironic that, in a season where Rafa Benitez has given so little away, his most revelatory press conference should come ahead of a postponed match.

Liverpool's crucial match with Tottenham was called off after the Reds contacted the Premier League expressing concerns over the safety of supporters travelling to Anfield on icy roads.

Benitez is known for giving little away on the matter of potential transfer deals and targets - not that his frosty nature prevents the questions from being asked - but today he dropped his guard to reveal one or two of Liverpool's plans for this January.

Out, he says, go Andrea Dossena - who today completed a £4.4 million switch to Serie A outfit Napoli - and Andriy Voronin - who is on the brink of a move to Russian side Dynamo Moscow.

"[Dossena] knew he wasn't playing too many games and he has the World Cup in the summer. He prefers to go to Italy to increase his chances," Benitez told reporters today.

"With Voronin we were talking with Dynamo Moscow and it's also very close. The player is talking with them and we're also just waiting for the paperwork.

"The weather conditions have made it impossible to progress with these things but I think it could be done within a few hours."

And whilst this news is hardly surprising, given that the out-of-favour duo have long been linked with moves away from Merseyside, the Spaniard's comments on another, apparently unwanted player, Ryan Babel, offered a little more food for thought.

"We have received some offers [for Babel] but the player was clear the other day when he told me he wants to stay," he added.

"We have to wait. I was not telling him he could go, just that we were receiving offers because he's a good player. That's the situation at this moment.

"At this moment everyone knows Ryan has the potential and he can improve."

These comments are in-keeping with those made by Babel's agent, Winnie Haatrecht, this week in which he stressed that the Dutchman "wants to succeed at Liverpool" and that he will only start to think about a move if a deal is agreed with the club.

Babel's situation at Liverpool has long been unclear. Signed as a precociously-talented 20-year-old from Ajax in an £11.5m deal, Babel was seen by many as one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe - a point validated by his performances in the 2007 UEFA Under-21 Championship, in which he helped Holland to victory with a string of impressive performances.

And at Anfield, the early signs were positive. His pace and direct-running power endeared him to the Kop, and comparisons were quickly drawn with another fleet-footed forward - John Barnes.

But despite ten goals in his debut season on Merseyside, Babel has failed to establish himself as a regular in Benitez's side. Being used predominantly as a left-winger, despite being painfully right-footed, may not have helped the Dutchman, but too often Reds fans have been disappointed by the 23-year-old's contribution, as he drifted on the periphery of games, offering only occasional flashes of class.

Additionally, reports have repeatedly surfaced about Babel's happiness at Anfield. As recently as November, he was quoted as saying that he would look to leave Liverpool if his situation did not improve, and that talking to Benitez was "of little use".

Both Babel and Benitez denied those claims, citing unreliable sources, but the Dutchman has featured just thirteen times for Liverpool this season - mainly from the substitutes' bench - and remained an unused substitute for last weekend's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Reading, though Benitez insisted later that the tightness of the game was the only reason for that.

These latest comments, coupled with the imminent arrival of Maxi Rodriguez to the club, seemingly serve to further confuse a player who is clearly concerned about his future - especially with the World Cup approaching. Babel may well wish to stay at Anfield, but if the Reds could recoup what they paid for the Dutchman in 2007, a deal may be the best solution for all parties.

Dutch dream | Babel wants to play at the World Cup

Liverpool turning down a £8 million bid from Birmingham this week may suggest they wish to keep hold of Babel, though it may also have been a bid to prompt an auction for the player, with Turkish sides Galatasaray and Besiktas also thought to be interested.

If Babel were to leave Liverpool, would the club miss him? He has, on occasion, provided a big impact when used from the bench, but those occasions have been all-too-rare, and with the arrival of Rodriguez likely to allow Benitez to utilise Dirk Kuyt in a more attacking role Babel will find opportunities further restricted.

Especially considering the emergence this season of French forward David Ngog, and young attacker Daniel Pacheco, who today spoke of his delight at making his first-team debut this season, and stated his desire for more opportunities to shine.

"It has been a really good season for me making my first-team debut which I have been looking forward to for a long time," Pacheco told the club's official website.

"The fans were really good to me and gave me a great reception. That means a lot, especially as a young player because they give you a lot of confidence.

"I need to keep working harder than ever before now and keep improving."

The young Spaniard described being asked to cancel his trip home to stay in cold Merseyside over the festive period - which led to a five minute substitute appearance against Aston Villa on Boxing Day - as 'the best Christmas present of my life'.

Pacheco's commitment and enthusiasm will impress Liverpool fans, who value attitude as highly as ability. The former Barcelona starlet can look ahead to a memorable year at the club.

For Babel the future is less clear and 2010 will be a year in which he simply must realise his potential. Be it at Anfield or elsewhere.

Liverpool Hopeful On Maxi Rodriguez Deal But Nothing Concluded - Rafa Benitez

2010-01-08T20:09:00.000-08:00

By Zack Wilson

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has revealed that the Reds are close to sealing the deal to bring midfielder to Anfield.

However, the move has not yet been concluded and some work still remains before the 29-year-old Argentine becomes a Liverpool player.

"It's true we've talked to Atletico Madrid and we're interested in the player but still it's just conversations," Benitez told reporters at his Friday press conference before his side's Sunday clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

"You never know with timescales. It's a question of everything being more or less agreed, and now it's for Atletico and the player to talk and see what happens."

Rodriguez will apparently be taking a pay-cut to move to England after being assured by fellow countryman Javier Mascherano that he has a good chance of regular first team football at Anfield.

Rafael Benitez Claims Ryan Babel Wants To Stay At Liverpool

2010-01-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

Ryan Babel , already the subject of a £9m transfer bid from Birmingham City , intends to stay at Anfield and play his way into Rafael Benitez 's first-team at Liverpool.

Babel, 23, was bought from Ajax in 2007 bound by stories of his great potential, Arsenal's astute manager Arsene Wenger was even said to be a firm admirer of the versatile forward's talents.

However, the Dutchman, capped 37 times by the Netherlands, has found a sustained run in the Liverpool first-team hard to come by, and voiced his concern over the lack of playing time.

Benitez, though, has calmed the transfer speculation linking Babel with a January exit, by revealing that the striker wants to remain at the club.

"I have not said that Ryan has to leave the club," Benitez explained to Sky Sports. "We received an offer for the player and he said that he did not want to leave the club. Therefore we rejected the offer.

"He is a good player and he works hard," the Spaniard added. "I want him in the squad."

Benitez has already sanctioned the £4.5m departure of Italian full-back Andrea Dossena, who left for Napoli earlier on Friday.

A deal for Ukraine international Andriy Voronin is also nearing completion. Dynamo Moscow have lodged a £2m bid for the fringe player.

"The Voronin deal is nearing completion but both he and Dossena are different to Babel. They were not playing many matches and wanted to play regularly elsewhere," Benitez added.

On a deal for Maxi Rodriguez, of Atletico Madrid, Benitez admitted the club's interest.

"We have talked with Madrid and the players' advisors but Rodriguez still has some issues to sort out with Madrid first," he said.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com UK

Rafael Benitez Reveals Andriy Voronin Set To Depart Liverpool For Dinamo Moscow

2010-01-08T08:07:00.000-08:00

Liverpool manager has confirmed that will leave Anfield and will join Russian outfit very soon.

Left-back Andrea Dossena moved back to Italy on Friday, signing a four-year deal at Napoli, and Voronin is set to follow him through the Anfield exit door.

"With Voronin we were talking with Dynamo Moscow and it's also very close. The player is talking with them and we're also just waiting for the paperwork," Benitez told The Liverpool Echo.
"The weather conditions have made it impossible to progress with these things but I think it could be done within a few hours."
Another Reds forward who has been heavily linked with a move away in recent days is Ryan Babel, for whom Liverpool reportedly reject a £9m offer earlier this week.

But Benitez insisted that there was a good chance that the player could yet stay at the club.

"We have received some offers but the player was clear the other day when he told me he wants to stay," the Spaniard revealed."We have to wait. I was not telling him he could go, just that we were receiving offers because he's a good player. That's the situation at this moment.
"At this moment everyone knows Ryan has the potential and he can improve."
Meanwhile, Benitez was also able to confirm that Albert Riera and Javier Mascherano are back in training as they look to recover fro injury.
Glen Johnson though is set to be sidelined for at least another month.
"Riera and Mascherano are training, and that is good. More or less the majority of the team are available," the coach explained.
"Glen is doing well but it's too early. It's a question of one month, maybe a little bit more."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK

OFFICIAL: Napoli Sign Andrea Dossena From Liverpool

2010-01-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

Andrea Dossena has completed his long-awaited move to , the club have announced.

The former stopper had been seeking an exit since the summer and he has been presented with the chance to begin a new adventure in Naples.

Dossena arrived in Italy from Merseyside on Thursday and successfully completed a medical. Subsequently he has signed a four-year deal.

A statement on the club's official website reads:

"Andrea Dossena is a Napoli player. The winger has signed until 2014."

Dossena himself offered his view of the move, and is delighted.

"I am very happy to be wearing the Napoli shirt. I have chosen a big club with great prestige and an important project. I cannot wait to play at the San Paolo in front of an extraordinary public," the Italian said.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

Liverpool Inform Premier League That Tottenham Hotspur Game Should Be Postponed

2010-01-08T07:59:00.000-08:00

Liverpool have recommended to the Premier League that Sunday's game against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield should not go ahead for safety reasons.

A statement on the Reds' official website reads:

"Liverpool Football Club have submitted an official request to the Premier League that Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash against Tottenham be called off for safety reasons.

"Discussions with the Premier League are currently taking place and more news will be announced as soon as a final decision is made."

Reports indicate that the Anfield club are concerned about the safety of travelling supporters as well as fans around the stadium after England was hit with heavy snow this week.

With temperatures expected to drop as low as -7 C in the north of England tonight, problems are anticipated across the region as the snow freezes and renders conditions treacherous.

Goal.com UK

Maxi Rodriguez Move From Atletico Madrid To Liverpool To Be Completed In 24 Hours

2010-01-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

Liverpool will conclude a £1.5 million deal for Atletico de Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez in the next 24 hours, according to The Times .

A source from the club previously revealed exclusively to Goal.com UK that the midfielder had been convinced by Argentina captain Javier Mascherano that first-team football would be in the offing, should he make the switch and join the Reds.

The 29-year-old has reportedly taken a pay cut in the hope of receiving regular time out on the pitch, after falling out of favour at the Vicente Calderon.

Rodriguez was believed to be earning around £85,000-a-week, but is said to be happy with the deal that the Merseyside club have offered. And the Argentine is consequently believed to be on the verge of signing an 18-month contract in the next 24 hours, following successful completion of a medical.

Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez is said to be busy with other transfer deals, as Andrea Dossena has joined Napoli pending a medical, while Anfield outcast Andriy Voronin is believed to be in line to join Dynamo Moscow for a sum believed to be in the region of £2m.

Liverpool Confident Of Beating Arsenal In Race To Sign Marouane Chamakh

2010-01-08T07:50:00.000-08:00

Liverpool are confident that they have established themselves as favourites to sign Girondins de Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh when the player's contract expires in the summer,according to a report from The Daily Mail.

A lengthy saga surrounding the Morocco forward's future has been running for most of the last 12 months, with Arsenal consistently linked with signing him.

The Gunners have prevaricated when it comes to launching a formal offer though, with manager Arsene Wenger seemingly keen to wait until the summer when Chamakh's contract in France runs out.

However, it seems that Rafa Benitez's side could beat the north Londoners to the player now, although Chamakh himself maintains that a clutch of clubs from across Europe are interested in him.

"My agent has been contacted by Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Everton, Chelsea and Sunderland in the Premier League along with other clubs like Sevilla, Inter and Juventus," the 25-year-old said, according to The Daily Mail.

"However, we do not have a concrete offer on the table at the moment and it is still a bit soon for such things.

"When the season ends, I will meet with my agent and we will evaluate all of the offers and decide what is the best for me from a footballing point of view. The economics are not the only important thing for me."

Tottenham Hotspur Boss Harry Redknapp Believes Liverpool Are Still A Threat

2010-01-08T07:45:00.000-08:00

By Zack Wilson

Tottenham Hotspur manager feels that can still claim a top four finish this season despite their stuttering form.

Redknapp's side travel to Anfield on Sunday to face the Reds, and he has urged his players and supporters to take nothing for granted against a team he rates highly.

The Englishman believes that a fit Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard playing together are as lethal as anything in world football.

"I still don't think we should write Liverpool off for the fourth Champions League place," Redknapp told The Sun.

"Seven teams will be scrapping it out of the top-four spots - including us - but I'd stake my life on Liverpool being the ones to beat if Torres and Gerrard stay fit.

"Their performances this season have been surprising. But teams have good and bad runs - everyone was writing Arsenal off a few weeks ago but now they are in the mix again."

Liverpool Have To Beat Tottenham Hotspur - Fernando Torres

2010-01-07T16:51:00.000-08:00

By Zack Wilson

Liverpool striker is adamant that the Reds must beat at Anfield this weekend.

Torres grabbed his 50th Premier League goal for the Merseysiders last time out against Aston Villa, coolly slotting home an injury time chance to seal victory by a single goal.

But the Spaniard knows that that win in Birmingham will count for very little if Rafa Benitez's men cannot follow it up with victory over Spurs.

"It’s similar to Aston Villa. We need to win and we have got to win," he affirmed, according to The Liverpool Echo.

"A draw would be a bad result for us because we need to win to get close to the top four again. But I am sure we can do it.

"The performance of the team is always much better against the top sides in England and I’m sure that we can get three points. We have confidence, even though we know it will be a really difficult game.

"We have to improve and we also know that the other teams [challenging for the top four] will have to play not as well as they have been doing. Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City have all been playing at a good level.

"We know we need to improve but we can do it. This is almost the same squad as last year. We have the confidence that we will finish in the top four and maybe even higher. We have got two targets for the rest of the season – the FA Cup and the Europa League.

"If we can keep progressing, we will see what happens. But of course, the main thing is to finish in the top four again and make sure that we can play in the Champions League next season."

And the striker believes that Liverpool must also win in order to boost their low confidence levels.

"The main thing is confidence. We have not had the same confidence; last year we were winning games when we were not playing so well – we got 20 points from winning games in the last 20 minutes," he explained.

"When you are winning games, you go out and you know that you are going to go into your next game and win that as well.

"We have not been able to win three or four games in a row this year. If we can beat Tottenham, we will be up at that level."

Niko Kranjcar Can't Wait For Tottenham Hotspur's 'Six Pointer' With Liverpool

2010-01-07T16:47:00.000-08:00

By Zack Wilson

Hotspur midfielder is excited about Sunday's eagerly anticipated Anfield clash with .

The Croat feels that the game is a "six pointer", with both clubs battling for a top four finish this season.

"I can't wait. It's a massive game, a showdown between two teams who want to push into the top four," Kranjcar said, according to Press Association Sport.

"We're in great form and the five straight clean sheets go to show how impressive we've been in recent weeks. Hopefully that will continue at Liverpool.

"They've also been in good form over the Christmas period, picking up some good results. But although Anfield is never an easy place to go, we feel we have the quality to go and give them a game."

Kranjcar does acknowledge however that, important as Sunday's game is, nothing will be decided at this stage of the campaign.

"It's a six-pointer. If we win the game

we'll get a nice lead in front of them but nothing will be decided this weekend, it will be decided over the next 18 games," he added.

"We have to believe, give the maximum in every game and our next game is Liverpool away, so we really want to send out a message and keep proving that we can achieve that top-four spot."

Fernando Torres Hails Liverpool's Pepe Reina As 'World's Best' Goalkeeper

2010-01-07T16:42:00.000-08:00

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres believes that team-mate Pepe Reina is currently the world's best goalkeeper.

Reina has been in fine form for the Reds in what has so far been a difficult campaign for Rafa Benitez's side, and Torres feels that there is no finer keeper currently playing.

"Like always he's having a really good season. For me he's now the best keeper in the world," the forward told the Reds' official website.

"In Spain everyone knows he's a very good keeper and in England there is no doubt he is the best. He's played at a top level since he signed here and won many Golden Gloves - and hopefully he'll win one more this season.

"He's having a massive season and at [Aston] Villa we won the game thanks to him. We must be really happy to have him in the team and hopefully he'll be here for a long time."

But Reina doesn't just contribute on the pitch. Torres also rates him as one of the Anfield dressing-room's great characters, a man who lifts his team-mates.

He can also joke with Torres about the striker's past success when playing against him.

"Pepe is one of the most important players in the dressing-room," he added.

"After Stevie [Gerrard] and Carra [Jamie Carragehr], I think he's the most important. He's always happy round the place - not just on the pitch but in the dressing-room.

"When you see Pepe he is always happy and trying to be positive. He is a really good professional.

"I always scored against him when we played in Spain - he was one of my favourite keepers! We always talk and laugh about that. I don't know why I always score against him."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK

Albert Riera Is Not Leaving Liverpool For Olympiacos

2010-01-07T16:39:00.000-08:00

Liverpool winger Albert Riera is not about to depart Anfield and join Olympiacos , according to his agent Angel Castell.

The Greek outfit were reported on Wednesday to be lining up a bid for the wide player after their £5 million offer for Yossi Benayoun was apparently rejected by the Reds.

But Castell insists that his client remains focused on recovering full match fitness after problems with hamstring injuries this season, and is keen to reclaim a place in Rafa Benitez's starting line-up.

"I have not heard from Olympiacos at all," the agent told Sky Sports."Albert has this year and two more years to go on his contract and he wants to stay at Liverpool.
"Albert is just thinking about recovering from injury and getting back into the team."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK

Liverpool Full-Back Glen Johnson Sidelined Until March

2010-01-07T03:45:00.000-08:00

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson could be out of action until March, according to The Telegraph.

The full-back has reportedly undergone surgery to repair medial ligament damage sustained during the 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in December.

Following the injury at Villa Park, the initial reaction was that the former Chelsea man would be out for an extended period of time. But the club quelled such fears, explaining that Johnson would be out for about a month.

Now, however, the 25-year-old is expected to be sidelined for up to two months.

Apart from missing a busy list of fixtures at club level, Johnson is also expected to be absent for an international friendly between England and Egypt on March 3.

Meanwhile, Reds manager Rafael Benitez will be posed with a defensive conundrum with regard to the right-back position, as youngster Martin Kelly has struggled to shake off an ankle injury.

It is expected that the Spaniard will now turn to Stephen Darby to fill in, while tentatively postponing plans to dispose of Philipp Degen

Goal.com UK

Liverpool's Financial Straits May Keep Ryan Babel At Anfield

2010-01-07T00:29:00.000-08:00

Ryan Babel may be forced to slug out at least another six months at Liverpool due to Rafa Benitez's concerns about selling a player he might not be able to replace immediately,The Times reports.

Along with Philipp Degen, Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin, Babel completes a quartet of flops who could be shown the door at Anfield this month as the club attempts to raise transfer funds.

However, with Maxi Rodriguez expected to join from Atletico Madrid this week, it is claimed that Reds boss Benitez will be allowed to bring in only one more player - most likely on loan - even if he does clear out the flotsam and jetsam.

Interest in Babel is high, both in England and abroad, and the young Dutchman is eager to secure regular playing time in order to push his claim for a World Cup place.

The 23-year-old's agent, Winnie Haatrecht, revealed recently that Liverpool had seriously considered a £9 million bid from Birmingham City, while Turkish duo Galatasaray and Besiktas are also said to be in the mix.

“It is about doing what is right for Ryan’s career as a whole, rather than taking a short-term view,” Haatrecht insisted. “We are not thinking about the World Cup. We are thinking about the next ten years.”

Liverpool Defender Andrea Dossena Looking Forward To Joining Napoli

2010-01-06T17:18:00.000-08:00

By Alan McGuinness

By Alan McGuinness Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena is looking forward to leaving the club and joining Napoli . Reports suggest the 28-year-old is close to signing a four-and-a-half year deal with the Italian club after a disappointing spell on Merseyside.

The former Udinese player has started only 13 games for the club since joining in 2008.

"I'm looking forward to embracing Napoli and to experience the emotion of the Stadio San Paolo," he told Il Mattino.

"It's missing the official news of the move and so I can't say a lot, but I'm waiting.

"I thank Napoli and I'm happy to meet up with friends such as De Sanctis, Quagliarella and Maggio."

Liverpool Comment: Why Rafael Benitez Doesn't Need To Splash The Cash In January Sales

2010-01-06T16:40:00.000-08:00

As most of Britain awoke this morning beneath a white January blanket, it is fair to say that Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was snowed under in a different way
Nobody from the Reds' playing and coaching staff needed to make the treacherous journey to the club's Melwood training ground today, but Benitez will be working as hard as ever as he sifts through various DVDs and emails from eager agents looking to offer Liverpool an answer to their winter woes.

It has been the hottest topic on Merseyside in recent weeks - who will Liverpool buy in the January transfer window?

Benitez is set to make his first signing this week with the capture of Atletico Madrid's Argentine winger Maxi Rodriguez, as reported yesterday on Goal.com UK, and the rumour mill has been in overdrive as to who will follow the 29-year-old into Anfield.

Marouane Chamakh, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Emile Heskey, John Carew and Ezequiel Lavezzi have all been touted as potential targets for the Reds, who are embroiled in a battle to obtain a place in the Premier League's top four, and the coveted Champions League spot which accompanies it.

Benitez, typically, remains tight-lipped when confronted with such speculation, his post-match press conference following Saturday's FA Cup draw at Reading consisted of a series of links being swatted away with smiles and 'no comments', and Liverpool as a club can rarely be accused of discussing their transfer business in public.

And in any case, the club's financial situation - complicated even by modern football standards - should ensure that any potential signing will be subject to a stringent balancing of books. No knee-jerk £15 million buys in the January sales for Benitez.

With the new financial year approaching, and a £30 million loan-interest repayment due ahead of the commencing of a new £80m sponsorship deal with British bank Standard Chartered, Liverpool are not likely to be looking to spend big this winter.

The potential signing of Maxi - thought to be available for around €3m (£2.7m) as his contract winds down - and the link to Chamakh, who is out of contract this summer, hints at a willingness from Benitez to cut his cloth accordingly and shop in a more modest market than the one which brought him the likes of Robbie Keane and Alberto Aquilani for a combined £35m.

Indeed the main activity at Anfield is likely to involve players leaving the club. Andrea Dossena, a £7m flop, is set to be the first player out of the door. It is believed that the Italian full-back has already said his goodbyes at Melwood ahead of a €5m (£4.4m) switch to Serie A side Napoli, though the adverse weather has delayed that particular move for the time being.

Ryan Babel is another who has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Merseyside, and will be perhaps Benitez's most saleable asset this January.

The Reds are believed to have received an approach from Birmingham yesterday, and the word around the club is that the Dutch forward is very much for sale if the price is right. Whether Babel would accept a move down the Premier League ladder, however, is another matter. As is Liverpool's reluctance to risk him fulfilling his potential at a domestic rival.

Babel's agent, Winnie Haartrecht, revealed today that the 23-year-old is willing to stay and fight for his place at Anfield, though conceded that his client would consider a move if Liverpool believe that his future lies elsewhere.

"We know that Liverpool is considering the offer of Birmingham City, but we will only start to think about a transfer if both clubs agree a deal." Haartrecht told de Telegraaf.

"I've sent five, six interested clubs to Liverpool, but none of them could find an agreement. Generally Ryan wants to stay at Anfield, but if the conclusion on Anfield is that it's better for him to move on, we have to think about the next chapter in his career."

And with Philipp Degen and Andriy Voronin linked with switches to VfB Stuttgart and Dinamo Moscow respectively, there could be further congestion at a snowbound John Lennon airport in the coming week.

Lone star | Maxi Rodriguez may be only signing

Yet whilst some Liverpool fans will doubtless object to this policy of 'business before results', to a seasoned observer it makes perfect sense. Liverpool's start to the season has been well short of what Benitez, and the supporters, would have expected, but it has not left a top four finish beyond reach.

Tottenham visit Anfield this Sunday for what will be a critical match in the chase for fourth-spot. A win for the Reds would move them to within a point of Harry Redknapp's side, with seventeen games still to play.

Yes Liverpool's results, and performances, this term have been substandard. Even in victory the Reds have failed to offer fluidity and genuine conviction, but flashing the cash in January is no quick fix. Just ask Newcastle United, who last winter pinned their hopes on Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor in a bid to arrest their slide down the table, to little avail.

Maxi's signing would show Benitez is willing to take risks, but at a lower outlay. It is a sensible policy.
The Spaniard, like many Premier League managers, has long been wary of making expensive signings in the inflated January market, but has shown with Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel that he is ready to take the occasional gamble.

If he can improve Liverpool's chances of finishing in the top four without breaking the bank, then the Reds will be all the better for it. And there is no reason why a team which finished second last season with largely the same players should need a whole lot of tinkering -
And for Benitez, a bit of shrewd operating in the transfer market may go some way to help remove the sense of negativity which has surrounded the Spaniard pretty much all season.

He has guaranteed Liverpool supporters a top-four finish and, despite plenty of hiccups, his side are well on course to achieve it, with or without some hefty winter investment.

Neil Jones, Goal.com UK

Sebastien Bassong Determined To Make Tottenham Hotspur History At Liverpool

2010-01-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

By Zack Wilson

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back wants his side to demonstrate their credentials and end their long winless away run against 'big four' teams at this weekend.

Spurs have not won against a 'big four' team away from White Hart Lane for an astonishing 65 games.

Bassong is keen to end that run with a winning performance against Rafa Benitez's Reds on Sunday at Anfield.

"I didn't know that part of the club's history. Now that you have told me we will definitely try to change it," the Cameroon international affirmed, according to The Islington Gazette.

"We could do better against the teams who play in the top four and we will try to win those games in 2010.

"Liverpool are coming back well and it's going to be a tough game. They are still a big team, a part of the 'big four' so we have to be strong. I think in the new year Liverpool will be back.

"There are maybe five or six teams in the race for the top four, and we're involved, so I hope at the end of the season we will be in there."

Bassong is also not overly concerned at the prospect of facing Reds striker Fernando Torres though.

"Why does everyone ask me about him? He's good but there are many many good players in England. Torres is one of them but you don't have to be scared of them," he added.

"I won't do any extra research or preparation. He's a special player but everyone knows how he plays, everyone watches him on TV.

"We are all football players so I know him, I know how he plays. I know his strengths so I don't have to go on YouTube or watch videos to know how he's going to play.

"I've played against him already - do you remember the first game of the season? For the moment, it's my best memory at Tottenham - my first goal and our first win of the season."

Meanwhile, the French-born defender is doing his best to learn from the older heads around him at White Hart Lane.

"I'm enjoying the Premier League. It's quite hard when you come to a new team like Tottenham with all the stars, but all the players helped me, and the manager and the staff," he added.

"Ledley, for me, is one of the best defenders - even if he's not training or he's struggling with his knee. I'm listening really very well, because for me he's the best defender in the club, and I have to watch him."

Fernando Torres Wants More Records At Liverpool

2010-01-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

Following his ability to storm to a half-century of goals faster than any other Liverpool player, Spanish striker Fernando Torres does not intend to rest on his laurels and has indicated that he has targetted further records at the Anfield outfit.

"It's unbelievable for me because Liverpool is not a small club, it's one of the biggest and most historic in the world," Torres said to the club's official website www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"All the players who've played here are top players who've scored a lot of goals.

"They've got massive records. I am ahead of them on this one now and that, for me, is one of the most important things I've done in my career.

"I want to keep breaking these records so I am always in the books and in the memories of the people.

"I am just doing my job and I want to keep breaking records and keep making people happy."

Despite a series of niggling injuries, Torres has managed to fire in a dozen goals so far this season, and the Reds talismanic frontman reiterated the club's desire to seal fourth place in the Premier League, as well as sealing the goals that could bring the FA Cup to Merseyside.

"I want as many goals as we need to get fourth spot and win the FA Cup," he added.

"I never say a number of goals but I always like to score more than the season before. Hopefully that won't be difficult because I only got 17 last season after the injuries."

Alan Dawson, Goal.com UK

Galatasaray In The Hunt For Liverpool Forward Ryan Babel

2010-01-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

Galatasary are ready to enter the race to sign Liverpool striker Ryan Babel , according to a report from The Times.

The Dutchman is understood to be keen on a move to mainland Europe rather than elsewhere in England, with a clutch of clubs ready to pounce after the Reds turned down a reported £9 million bid from Birmingham City for the player.

The Turkish outfit are managed by Babel's fellow countryman Frank Rijkaard, which could increase their appeal to a man whose Anfield career appears to be over.

The Dutchman has endured an unfortunate spell at Liverpool, whom he joined in 2007 from Ajax.

He is understood to be keen on a move to a club with Champions League prospects, though some sources claim that Birmingham may return with an improved bid soon.
Goal.com UK

Former Czech International Patrik Berger Hangs Up His Boots

2010-01-06T16:22:00.000-08:00

Former Czech international Patrik Berger has made the decision to hang up his boots with immediate effect after recurring knee trouble kept him off the pitch lately.

The 36-year-old started his professional career at Slavia Prague and impressed at Borussia Dortmund before joining Liverpool in the summer of 1996.

Berger enjoyed his biggest successes at Anfield Road and was part of the Liverpool squad that won the UEFA Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and European Super Cup in 2001.

"I have the best memories of Liverpool," said Berger to local reporters. "We won six trophies and it was the pinnacle of my career."

The former midfielder left Liverpool in 2003 and since played for clubs such as Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Stoke City before returning to Czech side Sparta Prague in 2008.

Berger made 44 international appearances for Czech, in which he managed to score eighteen times.

Stefan Coerts, Goal.com

Olympiacos To Bid For Liverpool Midfielder Albert Riera

2010-01-06T07:19:00.000-08:00

Olympiacos will return to Liverpool with a bid for Spanish midfielder Albert Riera after their £5 million approach for Yossi Benayoun was rejected by the Anfield outfit, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

The Spaniard has not managed this season to reproduce the fine form of his debut campaign on Merseyside, and Reds boss Rafa Benitez could be tempted to part with the left-sided midfielder.

Benitez is believed to be keen to raise cash in order to freshen up his squad this month and improve the fortunes of their faltering season.

He is unlikely to be handed massive funds by the club's owners and must apparently rely on sales to create space in his squad for new arrivals.

Riera impressed following his arrival from Espanyol in 2008. But he has struggled to match that form after suffering hamstring injuries this campaign.

Goal.com UK

Dinamo Moscow to sign Liverpool forward Andriy Voronin for £2m

2010-01-06T07:17:00.000-08:00

Dinamo Moscow apparently lead the race to sign Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin and end the Ukrainian's difficult spell on Merseyside.

The Times reports that the Russian outfit are preparing a bid of £2 million for the player, who has spent much of his time with the Reds on loan elsewhere.

Voronin signed a four-year deal when he moved to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer.

However, the forward has never really made an impact on the Reds' first team. He spent most of last season on loan at Hertha Berlin, where he scored 11 goals in 20 games.

He has played 27 Premier League games in total for the Reds, scoring five goals.

VfB Stuttgart Lead Chase For Liverpool Defender Philipp Degen

2010-01-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

Liverpool right-back Philipp Degen is set to leave Anfield this month, with Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart leading the race for his signature, according to a report from The Time.

Several other German clubs are also believed to be interested in the 26-year-old Swiss, who has never managed to become a regular in manager Rafa Benitez's first team plans since joining on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2008.

It is not clear yet as to the size of the fee involved should Degen leave, as seems likely.

Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin are also expected to leave Anfield this month, with Birmingham City and Galatasary interested in signing Babel.

Andrea Dossena's move to Napoli should also be confirmed this week, after the player was left stranded in Liverpool yesterday by snow which prevented him from travelling to Italy to conclude the deal.

Liverpool Reject £5m Offer From Olympiacos For Yossi Benayoun

2010-01-06T07:10:00.000-08:00

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has rejected an approach from Greek outfit Olympiakos for Yossi Benayoun , according to a report from The Daily Mail.

The Greek giants apparently offered the Reds £5 million for the Israeli winger, who would have reportedly been paid £40,000 a week after tax had he moved.

Benayoun has become a key man at Anfield and has made 20 Premier League appearances for the Reds this season, netting five goals.

Benitez would be reluctant to lose such a player at a time when he is set to sell misfit forwards Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin in January.

A £9m approach for Babel from Birmingham City has been rejected by the Reds, according to reports in England today.

Benitez is also said to be in the hunt for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, a player who has been strongly linked with Arsenal.

Goal.com UK

Snow Scuppers Andrea Dossena's Move From Liverpool To Napoli

2010-01-06T07:03:00.000-08:00

Liverpool left-back Andrea Dossena found himself stranded on Merseyside yesterday as the wintry weather conditions put his move to Napoli on hold.

The city's John Lennon Airport was closed and so was Manchester Airport after heavy snow hit the north of England this week.

The left-back was expected to seal his switch to the Serie A outfit on Tuesday but will have to wait until he can fly to his homeland to ink the deal, according to The Daily Mirror.

The £4 million move will go ahead as soon as the weather allows though, bringing to an end the Italian's unhappy spell at Anfield.

"At the moment there are logistical problems, that is to say he can't leave Liverpool because of the snow," said Roberto La Florio, the player's agent."When he can get over to Napoli, he will arrive on a permanent basis with a contract for four-and-a-half years. I believe he will arrive in the city tomorrow."

Goal.com UK

Liverpool Reject £9m Birmingham City Bid For Ryan Babel

2010-01-06T06:59:00.000-08:00

Birmingham City have had an approach for Liverpool forward Ryan Babel rejected, according to a report from The Daily Mirror . The Blues, rumoured to have a war chest of £40 million available for the January transfer window following Carson Yeung's takeover of the club, reportedly made a bid of £9m for the player.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is apparently keen to recoup the £12m paid for the Dutchman two years ago when he moved from Ajax. Babel himself is also keen to move to a club with Champions League prospects.

Reports over the last month or so have claimed that Babel and team-mate Andriy Voronin are set for Anfield exits as Benitez looks to raise cash for some much-needed reinforcement to help boost his side's stumbling season.

Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun On Olympiacos Radar

2010-01-06T03:31:00.000-08:00

Champions League hopefuls Olympiacos have turned their attention to midfielder Yossi Benayoun in their search for attacking reinforcements, according to reports from Greece.

The Greek powerhouse were previously linked with Olympique de Marseille playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa and Ajax forward Miralem Sulejmani, but they have now supposedly made Benayoun their primary target on the transfer market.

The versatile Israeli international is struggling for regular first team action at Anfield and could therefore be tempted to move in order to get more playing time elsewhere.

The report suggests that Olympiacos are preparing a €6 million offer for the 29-year-old midfielder. Benayoun's current Liverpool contract runs until the summer of 2013.

Stefan Coerts, Goal.com

Birmingham City To Bid For Liverpool's Ryan Babel

2010-01-05T16:31:00.000-08:00

Birmingham City boss is looking to make winger his first signing of the January transfer window, reports skysports.com.

Babel is one of many players recently linked with a switch to St Andrews, and it is now thought that McLeish has finally made his intentions clear by submitting a formal bid.

Although no fee has been revealed, it is believed Blues owner Carson Yeung will back his manager with the necessary funds in what could be a busy transfer period for the club.

Liverpool are understood to be willing to offload the Dutch winger, who despite exhibiting much promise in his first season in a red shirt, has flattered to deceive since arriving for £11 million from Ajax in 2007.

A switch to the Midlands and the chance of regular first team football could tempt 23-year-old Babel as he looks to cement a place in Holland's World Cup squad.

Agent Confirms Atletico Madrid's Maxi Rodriguez Is In Talks With Liverpool

2010-01-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

By Adrian Fisk

Atletico Madrid ’s Maxi Rodriguez is currently discussing a permanent transfer to , his agent has confirmed.

Liverpool have been widely tipped to swoop for the winger, with Goal.com UK exclusively revealing that sources close to the Anfield club had suggested the .

The Argentine's agent, Jose Segui, has now confirmed talks between the two clubs are underway, but insisted nothing concrete has been agreed.

"We are working. It's true we have spoken [with Liverpool], but there is nothing definitive," Segui told calciomercato.it.

"I don't know when the negotiation could be closed. It's up to the two clubs and to their decision.

"Anyway it would be a permanent transfer."

Fernando Torres Battling To Stay Fit At Liverpool

2010-01-05T16:21:00.000-08:00

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has revealed that staying fit is something that is taking its toll in hard work this season.

The player has been struggling with a groin injury for much of the season and has endured some well-documented battles with injury in the past.

And staying injury-free is no straightforward task for the Spaniard.

"I am good now. Much better than a couple of months ago," he revealed, speaking to the Reds' official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"I need to keep working three, four or five hours more than the rest of the squad because I need to keep recovering for the rest of the season.

"It's a difficult time but it's worth it if I want to play. I do the normal training session with my team-mates, but before and after I have to do treatment, exercises and gym work to make my leg strong enough.

"We are doing a good job and I'm feeling nothing bad in my leg. I have been able to play 90 minutes in the last four games so I'm really happy with the progression.

"Maybe I'll have to do this all season.
"One of the reasons I'm working really hard is because I know in this situation Liverpool need every player fit."

Torres is grateful to the Anfield medical staff for their work with him over the last two seasons.

"They have helped me a lot. They are the professionals and know what they have to do. It's thanks to them that I can keep playing. I can play every game now," he added.

"Without their help maybe I'd not be playing, so thanks to all the physios and medical staff."

The Spaniard is also well aware that being careful and looking after himself properly will be key to his future career.

He explained: "It's frustrating because I've never been injured before - not at Atletico [Madrid, his former club] and only one small one during my first season here.

"The last two seasons have been the first time I've had consecutive injuries.

"Always when the team is not in the best moment it's frustrating if you can't help your teammates. It's really hard watching the games from the stands.

"I'm not old but I'm not that young, so I need to look after myself with extra work. I know I have to work harder in order to play three games a week until the end of my career. I need to work harder than before."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK

Steven Gerrard And Daniele Galloppa Top Inter's Summer Wishlist

2010-01-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

After signing Goran Pandev, Inter might be finished bringing in players during the winter transfer period, but the midfield will be an area of priority during the summer window, according to tuttomercatoweb.

The Nerazzurri are focusing their attention on Liverpool superstar Steven Gerrard, Parma midfielder Daniele Galloppa, Udinese playmaker Gokhan Inler, and Toulouse ball-winner Moussa Sissoko.

Gerrard would certainly command a hefty transfer fee but with the Reds struggling on and off the pitch, transfer rumours have begun to emerge, despite his cult hero status at Anfield.

Inter coach .

Meanwhile, Inter will likely have to battle against Serie A rivals Juventus for any of the other three players, as the Bianconeri have also shown an interest in those midfielders.

Adam Scime, Goal.com

Liverpool Stalwart Jamie Carragher Concerned At Lack Of English Youth

2010-01-05T16:10:00.000-08:00

The influx of foreign footballers in the may have enriched the overall quality and competitiveness of the division, but has limited the opportunities of English youth graduating from the respective academies of club's in the top flight, according to defender .

Carragher, 32, regarded as one of the last bastions of "one-club-men", broke through the Anfield ranks and has amassed over 600 first-team appearances for the Reds.

However, the Bootle-born ex-England international believes it is harder for the nation's youth to establish themselves today, than when he was an eager teen.

"I think it's more difficult to come through the ranks now than when I was a youngster," he stated in the Liverpool Daily Post.

"There are a lot more foreign players at the club, and now with the level the team is at, basically if they want to come through then they have to be ready to play Champions League football.

"That shows how difficult it is."

Meanwhile, Stephen Darby, 21, a right-back, recently hailed Carragher and club captain Steven Gerrard for the manner in which they, along with the rest of the team, helped get his confidence back after a high-profile blunder during his debut - against Fiorentina in the Champions League.

"It’s something I’ve got to learn from and I couldn’t dwell on it too much," Darby explained to The Liverpool Echo.

"It really hurt for a couple of days after, I can safely say that but the lads got behind me and gave me great advice and encouragement."

Alan Dawson, Goal.com UK

Tottenham Hotspur Join Liverpool In Bid For Atletico Madrid's Maxi Rodriguez

2010-01-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

Maxi Rodriguez continues to be the target of much transfer speculation as the Argentinian midfielder is now in the sights of both Liverpool and Tottenham.

Atletico de Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores refuses to count on the disgruntled former captain and, although Maxi has expressed interest in moving back to Argentina to play for River Plate, Liverpool and Tottenham have tempted the winger to stay on the Eastern side of the Atlantic.

As reported by The Sun and Daily Mail, Liverpool are most interested in the Argentine's services for the winter transfer window as, since the departure of Xabi Alonso, the Reds midfield has lacked creative presence. Many sources anticipate a deal will be in place with Liverpool within the next 48 hours.

However, Tottenham have now also joined the race, though, unlike Liverpool, Spurs are reported to be more interested in a loan deal, offering English international David Bentley in a swap deal. The costly wide man has found playing time difficult to come by under coach Harry Redknapp.

The next few hours could yield many more headlines with respect to Maxi, who now seems certain to leave Atletico this month, with the hope of gaining enough minutes to earn a spot in the Argentina national team for the forthcoming World Cup.

Cyrus C. Malek, Goal.com