Liverpool chief Rick Parry determined to stay put

by Laura Sharpe

LIVERPOOL FC chief executive Rick Parry yesterday said he still saw his
future at "the best club in the world" as he picked up an honorary degree.

Parry donned a cap and gown yesterday to pick up his honour from the
University of Liverpool.

The football executive, a Liverpool maths graduate in 1976, was awarded an
honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws at a ceremony at the Philharmonic Hall.

Parry came under fire earlier this year from American LFC co-owner Tom
Hicks, who called on him to resign for under-performing in his stewardship
of the club, but the chief executive said he loves LFC and sees his future
with the club.

He said: "I'm looking forward to working with Rafael (Benitez) and helping
improve on last season's result.

"Our standards are very high, as is the standard our fans de-mand. Winning
the league, that's the prize we're all striving for."

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=liverpool-chief-rick-parry-determined-to-stay-put%26method=full%26objectid=21206916%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

Germany dispute Fernando Torres' credentials

by Mike Perez

FERNANDO TORRES' star may be shining bright following a magnificent last 12
months but talk of the Spain ace being the best striker in the world is
premature, according to some of the Germany team who faced him - and lost -
on Sunday night.

Torres capped a superb first season at club level with Liverpool, where he
scored 33 goals in 47 appearances, by earning Spain their first major
international trophy since 1964.

He did that by clinically scoring the only goal of the Euro 2008 final
against Germany in Vienna in the 33rd minute, having already hit the post
with a header.

Torres was a constant threat to the Germany defence before being
substituted late in the second half, but his marker Christoph Metzelder was
loath to agree with suggestions the Madrid-born 24-year-old was the best
marksman on the planet.

"There are many good strikers and I think it's difficult to say who is the
best," said Metzelder, who plays alongside the prolific Ruud van Nistelrooy
and Raul at club level with Real Madrid.

"He (Torres) is a very good player. He decided this game for Spain. He
played very well, he scored this very important goal. I think we nearly got
the ball for his goal but he was very clever."

Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who could do little to prevent Torres from
scoring, believes the striker still has some way to go to match the level
achieved by one of his former Arsenal team-mates.

"You are asking someone who played together with Thierry Henry," said
Lehmann when quizzed about whether Torres was at the top of the striking pile.

"You know that he (Henry) was a god in England performancewise, so when you
take him and compare him with other strikers, there is still a difference.

"He (Torres) could get there, but it takes a while."

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=germany-dispute-fernando-torres-credentials%26method=full%26objectid=21207322%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

Tottenham have battle to keep Robbie Keane

By Steve Wilson

Tottenham have a fight on their hands to hold on to vice-captain and
striker Robbie Keane this summer.

Keane, a popular figure with both players and fans, is reported to have
told the club's management that he wants to leave White Hart Lane after a
move to Liverpool was mooted last week.

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez made an intial inquiry by offering a player
plus cash deal of Peter Crouch and £5 million to sign the Republic of
Ireland international.

The club rebuffed the offer and Spurs coach Juande Ramos is reluctant to
lose one of his most consistent performers, especially at a time when he is
trying to offload £17m flop Darren Bent and the future of Dimitar Berbatov
remains clouded in uncertainty.

Keane scored 24 goals in all competitions last season and has been an
integral part of the side since signing from Leeds United for £7m six years
ago.

If Keane was to leave, Ramos would have to buy a completely new front line
for next season, though with considerable funds to chase long term-targets
David Villa and Lukas Podolski.

Liverpool are locked in a protracted round of negotiations with Aston Villa
over Gareth Barry and have limited funds to rush things through.

Tottenham do not need to sell before they can buy this summer as Ramos
continues to overhaul the squad he inherited mid-way through last season.

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson's assertion that Manchester United are
interested in making just a single, major signing this summer has raised
once more the possibility that Berbatov could, at the third time of asking,
be lured to Old Trafford.

Twice before, most recently last summer, Ferguson has inquired about the
Bulgarian's availability only to be told by Tottenham that he is not for sale.

Tottenham value Berbatov at £30 million whilst United are willing to pay
around £23 million and will not be forced to pay over the odds despite
having money available to spend.

Asked about his transfer plans, Ferguson said: "There could be some
dialogue, but I wouldn't think any more than one player. People think it's
easy to buy players nowadays but it's not - money plays a big part.

"Clubs with ambition don't want to sell their best players so it's not as
easy as you think."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/07/01/ufnkeane201.xml

REINA CENTRE-STAGE IN HOMECOMING

Jimmy Rice

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina took centre-stage as the victorious Spain
squad paraded the Euro 2008 trophy in front of hundreds of thousands of
fans in Madrid on Monday night.
A massive 80 per cent of Spain's television audience watched their men
triumph over Germany on Sunday night – and it seemed as though most of them
were on the streets of the Spanish capital to greet their heroes yesterday.

It was Reina who took the microphone to introduce each and every one of his
teammates.

It seemed an appropriate role for the shot-stopper who, despite featuring
just once in the group stages, was a massive presence in the squad – as
evident from his celebrations whenever his teammates found the net.

Goalscoring hero Fernando Torres also had a word or two to say, telling the
masses: "I would like to thank all the fans. This triumph belongs to you,
because without your support we would not be here now. Thank you."

Also present were Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso, both of whom played their
part in Spain's first major honour since 1964.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N160384080701-1438.htm

Anderson pens new Reds contract

Liverpool reserve Paul Anderson, signed from Hull in 2006, has penned a new
contract which extends his deal at the club until 2011.

The 19-year-old winger has yet to make a first-team appearance and spent
last season on loan at Swansea as they were promoted from League One.

Liverpool have agreed to loan Anderson to Nottingham Forest for their
forthcoming first campaign back in the Championship.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1776_3763019,00.html

Euro champ Alonso keeps Liverpool waiting as Juventus wait in wings with £16m offer

Liverpool may have to wait until European champion Xabi Alonso returns from
holiday before they can sort out the Spanish midfielder's future.

Alonso has been given a three-week break following Spain's successful Euro
2008 campaign, with his proposed £16million move to Juventus seemingly on
hold.

But Alonso admits to having 'no idea' where he will be playing next season.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez needs funds from player sales to maintain his
interest in Aston Villa's Gareth Barry and what is believed to be a
player-plus cash offer for Tottenham's Irish forward Robbie Keane.

Alonso told Spanish football expert Guillem Balague's website,
www.guillembalague.com: 'I have no idea [what the future holds]. Right now
I am just thinking about going on holiday, sitting back and relaxing.

'We all need time to sit back and think about what we (Spain) achieved and
to take it all in.

'I will be able to think about all that has gone on and what is going to
happen regarding my future later on. We will see what happens when I get
back.'

Alonso's performances have made him a European champion for club and
country since joining Liverpool, and many fans do not want to see him sold.

Some are dismayed that the current American ownership seem unable to fund
Benitez's transfer dealing without selling high-profile players.

Talks between Juventus and Liverpool over Alonso are believed to have
stalled over the fee demanded by Benitez.

Benitez is involved in a delicate financial balancing act, and wants to
offload Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant and Scott Carson.

John Arne Riise has moved to Roma for £4m, and Harry Kewell has been
released, with reserve goalkeeper Charles Itandje on his way to Galatasaray
for £2m.

Yossi Benayoun and Steve Finnan could also depart.

Benitez is believed to have offered Crouch plus £5m to Tottenham for Keane,
a lifelong Liverpool fan.

Portsmouth also want Crouch, a situation confirmed by Pompey chief
executive Peter Storrie yesterday. But Benitez clearly want to use the
England striker as a makeweight in a deal for Keane.

Benitez's activity in the transfer market continues as American co-owners
Tom Hicks and George Gillett maintain their search for funding for the new
LFC stadium - as the club now wish the project to be named - planned for
Stanley Park.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) are holding off on the
delivery of a £9m grant for the project until the club show they have the
money for the £350m scheme.

Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, has held talks with Kop
Holdings, the Americans' company, over funding for the new stadium.

Last week the club started preliminary work in Stanley Park, with both
Gillett and Hicks being quoted on Liverpool's website together for the
first time in months.

The work is being financed by the £60million set aside from the January
re-financing package which is likely to run out by the end of the year.

The £9million from the NWDA will fund regeneration work around the stadium
and is a drop in the ocean considering the overall costs of the scheme.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1030815/Euro-champ-Alonso-keeps-Liverpool-waiting-Juventus-wait-wings-16m-offer.html

Gareth Barry playing dirty with Aston Villa

Matt Dickinson

I always had Gareth Barry down as a straight guy, a decent footballer, a
humble team man, the sort you want to see succeed. Silly me. If you thought
that Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid was the tawdry business of the
summer, you have not been paying attention to Barry's attempts to get
himself a transfer to Liverpool, whatever it takes.

Last weekend Barry interrupted a holiday in Florida to talk to a reporter
from a Sunday red-top newspaper. The majority of the conversation appears
to have been spent criticising Martin O'Neill, his manager at Aston Villa.

This would be the same O'Neill who arrived at Villa Park and, in one of his
first decisions, stopped Barry being sold to Portsmouth on the cheap. The
same O'Neill who showed such faith in Barry that the club captain has
become a stalwart of the England team under Fabio Capello.

His thanks was a laughable piece saying that O'Neill was more interested in
commentating on Euro 2008 for the BBC than retaining his captain. About all
there was to recommend the article was that at least it made a change from
the clumsy leaks about Liverpool's interest and Barry's desire to move to
Anfield that have mysteriously found their way throughout the summer into a
friendly newspaper.

Such shabby behaviour might make sense if Villa were adamant that Barry was
not going to leave under any circumstances, but O'Neill and Randy Lerner,
the Villa owner, are intelligent men. They can understand why Barry's head
has been turned by the approach from a Champions League club. They know
that every player has a price when the big clubs come calling.

By any reasonable estimation, that price has to be close to £18million,
given that Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves each joined Manchester
United for something similar and Barry has overtaken both rivals in the
England pecking order. For a 27-year-old established international player
with two years left on his contract, it is the going rate.

The interesting question now is whether Liverpool want to spend that sum or
whether they even have it available. One can only guess from the
increasingly desperate behaviour of Barry and his genius of an agent, Alex
Black, that those are questions they are asking themselves.

Surely Black is not so daft to have have promised Liverpool that he could
get his player out for considerably less than £18million. Surely he was not
in such a mad rush to pull off the transfer that he erroneously assumed
that Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, had a huge budget and would
simply pay what it takes.

The questions take on particular pertinence, given that Villa are due to
report back to pre-season training on Thursday, when Barry, in theory, will
return as captain. It makes you wonder whether he is so embarrassed by the
idea of having to meet O'Neill face to face that he has resorted to
anything, even attacking his own club in the hope that they will wash their
hands of him for the £13million on the table.

He is not the first footballer to stoop to such tactics, but instead of
wasting time attacking his manager, Barry could more usefully have picked
up the phone to Liverpool and instructed them to increase their offer. He
must be wondering if they do not value him so highly after all, which is
something we should all be asking, given his recent behaviour.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/aston_villa/article4244853.ece

Keane stuns Spurs with transfer demand: Liverpool set to offer Crouch and £5m for striker

By JOHN EDWARDS AND NEIL ASHTON

Robbie Keane stunned Tottenham by telling them he wants to leave.

Sportsmail can reveal that Republic of Ireland striker Keane delivered his
shock transfer demand after learning Liverpool had lodged a
player-plus-cash bid for him on Friday.

The 28-year-old came out of a meeting at White Hart Lane having left club
officials in little doubt about his eagerness to play for his boyhood idols.

Anfield manager Rafa Benitez sees Keane as the ideal strike partner for
Euro 2008 match-winner Fernando Torres and is prepared to part with Peter
Crouch and around £5million to make it happen.

As with his pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry, though, Benitez
is going to have to dig deeper after Tottenham rejected his initial offer
and placed a £20m valuation on Keane.

Keane's desire to get away from Spurs is a bigger shock. Liverpool skipper
Steven Gerrard and long-serving centre back Jamie Carragher are both
friends of the Irishman, who could be one of three strikers to leave
Tottenham should the deal go through.

Spurs manager Juande Ramos knows Dimitar Berbatov is unsettled and he is
also exploring ways of offloading Darren Bent. Apart from having to
increase the cash adjustment, Benitez may also struggle to talk Crouch into
being part of the package as the England striker still wishes to join Harry
Redknapp at Portsmouth.

Villa confirmed that Barry can move to Anfield, provided Liverpool match
their £18m price.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1030657/Keane-stuns-Spurs-transfer-demand-Liverpool-set-offer-Crouch-5m-striker.html

Transfer Talk: Liverpool's 2008/9 prospects

By Emily Benammar

Liverpool's season was marred by an internal war between manager, shareholders and owners. All eyes went from watching the football to round the clock analysis of the goings on between Rafa Benitez and the Liverpool board.

Anfield seemed to be in turmoil in April with co-owner Tom Hicks reportedly asking Rick Parry to hand in his resignation. Turmoil began as George Gillet admitted he was happy to sell his share of the club this sparked a repeated interest from Dubai International Capital to take control of Gillet's share Hicks meanwhile was working on raising enough capital to buy-out his partner.


All this was going on as Liverpool prepared themselves for their Champions League semi-final against Chelsea their third appearance in the last four stage in four seasons under Benitez.

Benitez's position was further undermined when the media reported that former Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann had been approached as the Spaniard's replacement emergency talks were arranged, and as the season came to and end Benitez's job was as safe again.

As every season, Liverpool will go in to the next campaign talking of a genuine title challenge but it is clear that investment in the playing staff is required to make that ring true for once.

Manager:

Rafa Benitez

Benitez has been with Liverpool since 2004 replacing Gerard Houllier. Much like the team he coached previously at Valencia, Benitez has struggled with a talented squad who persistently seem to under perform. European success and domestic cups have endeared him to the fans and hinted at what can be achieved but for all at Anfield winning the Premier League becomes more important the longer they go without doing it.

Benitez is a football man - some would say football obsessive - and his constant search for the right balance in the team has yet to yield a satisfactory solution with Liverpool.

---

Last season:

4th - 76 points

---

The pot:

Rafa Benitez is reported to have demanded £50 million from Hicks and Gillet in a bid to bring three major signings to Anfield next season. This is something the manager has denied. Liverpool's finances do not appear all that healthy however; their asking price for Peter Crouch has been branded too high by Harry Redknapp, and their persistent bids to bring Gareth Barry to the club reveal their inability to provide excessive funds. With a new stadium to finance as well Benitez may have to cut his cloth a bit more cleverly than the rest of the big four if he is to compete for signings.

---

What they want / need:

Liverpool need width. At least two wide players with pace and the ability to beat a man would add massively to a side that is central midfield heavy. Also, a decent strike partner for Fernando Torres is essential, despite his best efforts as a lone front man last season.

---

Who their targets are:

Liverpool are expected to make a fourth offer for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, reports suggest they hope to close a deal in the coming days. They are also targeting Valencia - said to be cash-strapped - in a bid to land David Silva. The departure of John Arne Riise to Roma also makes way for Liverpool to sign Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena for £7m.

---

Special One:

Having already made three bids for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry it seems the midfielder is Benitez's top priority.

---

Expect to see:

More boardroom turmoil.

---

Don't expect to see:

A title challenge

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/28/ufnliverpool128.xml

Man Utd, Liverpool watch as Juninho ponders Lyon exit

Lyon midfielder Juninho has put Premiership clubs on red alert.

The 33 year-old Brazilian told L'Equipe yesterday that he may leave Lyon this summer.

"Between now and August 31 many things could happen," said Juninho. "It's no secret that I could leave."

Juninho has been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool over the last six months.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=100487

Accrington Stanley keen to re-sign Liverpool's Antwi

Accrington Stanley hope to re-sign on-loan Liverpool defender Godwin Antwi.

Assistant manager Jimmy Bell told the Lancashire Telegraph: "Myself and John (Coleman) have spoken about him and it hasn't really gone any further than that at the moment.

"But he's certainly a player that we will be pursuing."

http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=100522

Pompey still chasing Crouch

Lewis Rutledge

Portsmouth have not given up in their quest to sign Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.

Harry Redknapp is known to be a keen admirer of the England international and feels he would bring a different dimension to Pompey in attack.

The manager has acknowledged that money could be a factor and Portsmouth have already had an offer, believed to be in the region of £9million, rejected by Liverpool.

However, Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has revealed that Redknapp is still keen to land his top target.

He told The News: "Harry has made it clear he wants Peter Crouch. He's the sort of quality we want to add to the team.

"We have made a fair bid for him and that was turned down but we are still interested.

Negotiations

"It's now the case that we have made known our position and Liverpool have made know theirs - we will see what happens after that.

"This is not the end of it. As in normal transfer negotiations there is still more talking to be done. That's how it works.

"We are not going to be giving up. Harry sees him as an important player and we will try to bring him to Fratton Park."

Storrie accepts there are not likely to be any major developments in the coming days.

Situation

He added: "At the moment both myself and Harry are away so there is nothing happening, we will see what the situation is after this week.

"But nothing will be happening with Peter's future in the meantime, either. It's a quiet time for transfers.

"We are still interested, he's a quality player."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3758426,00.html

Pellegrino rejoins Liverpool as first-team coach

Former Liverpool defender Mauricio Pellegrino has re-joined the club as
first-team coach.

The 36-year-old Argentinian, who played 12 times for the Reds in 2005, has
been working as a youth team coach at Valencia but will now return to
Merseyside to join the backroom team that also has Sammy Lee recently
installed as assistant manager.

Boss Rafael Benitez said of Pellegrino: 'His role will be first-team coach,
and he will also carry out specialist training sessions. He can also work
specifically with the defence, and also the reserves.'

He added: 'Pellegrino has a winning mentality. He won the Inter-continental
Cup before going to Spain with Barcelona and Valencia.

'He has a lot of passion. When I asked him to come he was very pleased, but
first he wanted to find out if there was a school where his three children
could play good football. He is a football man.'

Meanwhile, Benitez has spoken of his pride in Fernando Torres' Euro 2008
triumph after he scored the winner for his country against Germany in
Sunday's final.

The manager was quick to praise record signing Torres, who suffered some
heavy criticism from the Spanish media during the tournament.

'I am very proud of Fernando, especially after he has been criticised from
some journalists in Spain,' Benitez said.

'Everyone in Spain remembers the Marcelino goal from 44 years ago (when
Spain were last European champions), and the last final Spain were in was
24 years ago.

'Now people will talk about Torres in the same way, I am very proud of him
and what he has achieved.'

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=552817&sec=england&cc=5901

Benítez offers Crouch and cash to lure Keane

Andy Hunter

Rafael Benítez will pursue his interest in Robbie Keane despite Tottenham's
insistence that their vice-captain is not for sale. The Liverpool manager
has proposed a cash-plus-Peter Crouch deal but the Republic of Ireland
international will have to agitate for a move to bring Benítez's pursuit to
fruition.

Keane has emerged as a leading target for Liverpool after discussions
between Anfield officials and their Spurs counterparts about Crouch, the
England international who is valued at between £10m and £12m and is also
wanted by Portsmouth, Manchester City, Newcastle and possibly Arsenal.

Benítez, encouraged by Gareth Barry's willingness to make a public request
for a move from Aston Villa, now hopes similar tactics will lure the
27-year-old Keane to Liverpool, the club he supported as a boy and who can
offer Champions League football. Tottenham instantly dismissed Liverpool's
approach last week but Benítez will persist with efforts to induce Keane to
move. A £20m-rated deal involving Crouch would suit Liverpool but should
the England forward resist a return to White Hart Lane they could put money
from his sale towards a straight cash bid.

The Liverpool manager has allocated his existing transfer budget to the
purchases of Barry and the left-back Andrea Dossena, who will finalise his
£8m transfer from Udinese this week. Further signings will be dependent on
player sales.

Benítez's exhaustive attempts to prise away the Villa captain received a
significant assist yesterday when Barry criticised his manager, Martin
O'Neill, and for the first time publicly declared his desire to leave. "My
mind's made up - I want to join Liverpool," he said. "There's no going
back; it's time for me to move on. I'm desperate to play Champions League
football and that's why I have to leave Villa.

"Villa kept saying they wanted me to stay but I have not heard from the
manager for weeks. It's seven weeks now since the season finished but while
the gaffer's found time to be a pundit for the BBC at Euro 2008 he hasn't
found the time to speak to me. Have Villa offered me anything to try to
persuade me my future is at Villa Park, not Anfield? Not a thing."

The decision on whether Everton's proposed stadium in Kirkby should be
called in by the government has been delayed. Everton were due to learn
this week whether their move would be subject to government scrutiny,
entailing a delay which would be likely to scupper the proposal because of
rising costs, but the Government Office for the North West has requested an
extra fortnight to consider the plan.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jun/30/premierleague.liverpool

'I have to leave Aston Villa,' insists Barry

By Chris Fenton

Gareth Barry remains eager to join Liverpool and has criticised the Aston
Villa manager, Martin O'Neill, for making no effort to persuade him to stay.

The England midfielder has made no secret of his desire for the regular
Champions League football on offer at Anfield.

But despite his pleas to the Villa hierarchy to allow him to leave, the
club has remained entrenched and rejected a reported £15m bid from
Liverpool earlier this month.

Barry was quoted in the News of the World as saying: "My mind's made up, I
want to join Liverpool. There's no going back, it's time for me to move on.
I'm desperate to play Champions League football and that's why I have to
leave Villa."

O'Neill has been openly critical of the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez,
over his pursuit of the Villa captain.

But despite O'Neill's public position, Barry claims that nothing has been
done to get him to remain at Villa Park.

"It's seven weeks now since the season finished but while the gaffer's
found time to be a pundit for the BBC at Euro 2008, he hasn't found the
time to speak to me.

"Have Villa offered me anything to try to persuade me my future is at Villa
Park, not Anfield? Not a thing."

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/i-have-to-leave-aston-villa-insists-barry-856941.html

Liverpool sign Dutch youngster

It's reported in the DutchNews.nl that Liverpool have signed 17-year-old
striker Vincent Weijl from AZ Alkmaar. He'll be joining the U-18 Academy as
a first year trainee.

From the club's official site, it states that Weijl has played for AFC
Amsterdam and Ajax before. His name has been added onto Liverpool's
Wikipedia page.

http://kop-tv.com/go/liverpool-sign-dutch-youngster/

Rafa swoops to sign Saric

by Adam Marshall

Liverpool have agreed a deal with Herfolge to sign Nikola Saric on a
three-year contract despite reported rival interest from Tottenham and
Barcelona.

The 17-year-old starlet is heading to Anfield after Rafa Benitez tied up
the deal personally, which surprised the Danish club.

All that remains is for Saric to put pen-to-paper on his contract at
Anfield but he has already expressed his delight at clinching the move.

"'This is Rafa' he said," recalled sports director Per Rud to the club's
official website when asked about how the transfer came about. "I almost
thought it was a lie!

"We are pleased and proud that Nikola has gone to one of the world's best
football clubs. We would have liked to have earned more money from Nikola
but his injury and the fact that his contract expired in the New Year made
it difficult.

"Liverpool acted extremely well in all cases and knew all the details. They
have been fair in the process and could've waited until the New Year but
they will have him over now."

Saric, a technically gifted left-footed number 10, is enthusiastic about
linking up with the superstars of the first team on Merseyside.

"It is a unique opportunity for me," the Denmark Under-18 international
informed Dagbladet Koge.

"I will train with the big names over there and there is time for me to
develop at reserve level.

"I am very pleased with the development as it has been a very tough season
for me."

Herfolge claimed on their official website that Spurs, Barca and Charlton
wanted the talented striker, who is reckoned to be one of their best-ever
players, after offering him trials.

http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/06/26/Prem-Liverpool-signing-Saric/

Liverpool show off New Away Kit

Liverpool's new away kit has been shown off for the first time.

http://www.lfconline.com/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=395676

REDS CONFIRM FRIENDLY IN BERLIN

Liverpool have today confirmed they will round-off their pre-season training camp with a friendly against Hertha Berlin.

The game, which will be staged in the German capital's Olympic Stadium, will take place on Tuesday July 22, 2008, with a 7.45pm kick-off (local time).

"We are delighted to be playing a game against Hertha Berlin as part of our pre-season training camp," said manager Rafael Benitez.

"We always like to play against good quality opposition as these games form a vital part of our preparations for the new season."

The Reds have already confirmed games against FC Lucerne in Grenchen on July 16, Wisla Krakow in Friborg (July 19) and Villarreal in Spain (July 30) as part of their pre-season programme.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N160258080618-1158.htm

Liverpool close in on James Milner signing

James Milner's switch to Liverpool has moved a step closer with Newcastle
interested in a player-plus-cash deal for the England Under-21 midfielder.

Newcastle are reluctant to sell the 22-year-old this summer but are keen on
an exchange deal worth £7m plus Danny Guthrie.

Guthrie, who spent last season on loan at Bolton, is thought to have
confided in friends that he expects to join Newcastle which has increased
speculation that Milner is Anfield bound.

Even though Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has been away on holiday,
assistant coach Terry McDermott has said the former England coach has been
working hard to bring new additions to St James' Park this summer.

Keegan will return from the United States this week where he is expected to
step up his search ahead of their season opener against Manchester United
on Aug 16.

"Even though Kevin's been away, make no mistake, he's been on his phone
trying his best to bring new players to this club," McDermott said.

"Now we'll be coming back in this week and we're looking forward to the
start of pre-season. Both myself and Kevin are great believers in a hard
pre-season so that the lads are flying when it all kicks off."

While Milner's proposed move to Liverpool gathers pace, John Arne Riise is
edging closer to a move to Roma.

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has said the club would not prevent Riise
departing for the right price. It is thought a £5m deal between the two
clubs will be reached by the end of the week.

Earlier this month, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said Riise has the
qualities the Italian club are looking for and the defender has now
stressed his desire to undertake the new challenge in Serie A.

"That was nice what was said by the coach (Spalletti), but this is only
something I have heard from media reports.

"I have only one year of my contract left, so the price is lower than a
year ago – 50 million Norwegian Kroner (approximately £5million) seems a
little high for me.

"I need to play and need to be in a team where I can become better, because
I know I can become better.

"When you change club, you get a kick-start and a set of new challenges."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/17/ufnliverpool117.xml

Taylor snubs Liverpool for Blues

Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor admits he gave 'serious consideration' to an
offer from Liverpool before agreeing a two-year deal at St Andrews.

The Northern Ireland international has confirmed reports that Rafa Benitez
showed strong interest in his services as the Liverpool manager searches
for reliable back up to Jose Reina.

However, with Scott Carson returning to Anfield following his loan spell
with Aston Villa, Taylor insists he always wanted to stay with Championship
outfit Birmingham in order to secure regular first-team football.

"With an offer on the table from the club (Birmingham), it was always going
to be the case that I would stay really," Taylor told the Blues' official
website.

"It was flattering that Liverpool showed a lot of interest and of course I
gave it serious consideration.

"Liverpool could offer the UEFA Champions League and everything else, but
it would have been a situation as a No.2 and a year's contract as well.

"Scott Carson has gone back there now as well. There was talk of him going
to Villa after his loan, but that has not materialised.

"I still have a big desire to play and, as long as I keep my form and
fitness, that's more likely here (Birmingham)."

And having agreed to stay with Birmingham, Taylor is optimistic the club
can return to the Premier League at the first attempt following their
relegation last season.

"I enjoy playing for Birmingham and although, obviously, it was
tremendously disappointing to get relegated, I am really optimistic about
the future," added Taylor.

"We're going into an extremely difficult division, but definitely we will
be up for the challenge and I'm sure we won't be far away."

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1776_3706427,00.html

Olic relaxed in face of Liverpool talk

by Adam Marshall, 18 June 2008

Croatia attacker Ivica Olic, reportedly a target for Liverpool, expects to
remain at Hamburg next season.

The hard-running forward has impressed for Slaven Bilic's side in Euro 2008
and has attracted a new army of admirers with his selfless performances.

Reports in Germany claim Rafa Benitez fancies Olic to work the flanks at
Anfield next term and supply the ammunition for leading scorer Fernando Torres.

However, Olic admits he is likely to remain in the Bundesliga despite his
exploits in Austria and Switzerland.

"All this is not currently an issue for me," he told Mopo when asked about
interest from Italy, England and Spain.

"I want to, and must have, my mind on the European Championship - for Croatia!

"Once I'm back home, I will quickly get together with HSV.

"I think I'll play next year for Hamburg. And even longer. But so much is
possible in football."

Hamburg hope to resume contractual talks with the 28-year-old on his return
from the finals, but the birth of a new baby could play some part in the
thinking regarding his future.

Nevertheless, he is quoted by Spox as saying: "To play with a great club in
England is a dream for me."

Liverpool are said to have scouted the left-sided forward during the
tournament and been impressed with his work-rate and ability.

Olic, who has drawn great praise from national team coach Slaven Bilic, is
under contract until the end of next season.

http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/06/18/Bundesliga-Olic-on-future/

Liverpool fury at Gareth Barry price tag

Liverpool will refuse point blank to pay Aston Villa's "ludicrous"

£20million asking price for Gareth Barry.

And the Anfield club are prepared to walk away and look elsewhere for a
midfielder if Villa hold out for what is considered a massively inflated
valuation.

Manager Rafa Benitez is angry his counterpart at Villa Park, Martin
O'Neill, is being obstructive in negotiations, when it is clear Barry
(above) wants to leave to further his international ambitions.

Villa have refused to budge from £20m and if that continues the Merseyside
club will apologise to Barry 28, and walk away, with Portsmouth's Lassana
Diarra a viable alternative.

Pompey want Peter Crouch and a swap deal would offer a solution.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/18/liverpool-fury-at-gareth-barry-price-tag-89520-20611722/

John Arne Riise set to seal Roma switch

by Christopher Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

JOHN ARNE RIISE'S wish for Liverpool and Roma to agree a fee for him is set
to be granted with a move expected to go through by the end of the week.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez confessed at the end of last season that
he would allow Riise to end his seven-year stay at Anfield if "the right
price" was offered.

That price appears to be £5million, but Riise hopes Liverpool will
compromise in order to facilitate his switch to Serie A.

Roma are believed to have made a bid in the region of £4million for the
Norwegian international but the two clubs' differences in the player's
valuation are likely to be ironed out within the next few days.

Earlier this month, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti confirmed his interest in
the 27-year-old, saying Riise "can give a different dimension", and "Riise
has the qualities we are looking for."

Now Riise has spoken for the first time of his intention to leave Anfield
in order to find "new challenges."

He said: "That was nice what was said by the coach (Spalletti), but this is
only something I have heard from media reports.

"I have only one year of my contract left, so the price is lower than a
year ago – 50 million Norwegian Kroner (approximately £5million) seems a
little high for me.

"I need to play and need to be in a team where I can become better, because
I know I can become better.

"When you change club, you get a kick-start and a set of new challenges."

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=john-arne-riise-set-to-seal-roma-switch%26method=full%26objectid=21087462%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

Villa drops Liverpool hint

by Tom Kell

David Villa has dropped perhaps his biggest hint yet that a summer move to
Liverpool would be of interest to him.

The Spain international's stock continues to rise, with his late winner
against Russia on Saturday taking his Euro 2008 goal tally to four.

Valencia remain steadfast in their reluctance to let Villa publicly at
least but it is no secret that financial constraints could force their hand.

Chelsea could also turn be tempted to turn to Villa, but it seems that a
move to Anfield is what would be most appealing to the striker.

"Liverpool and Chelsea are both big clubs with a lot of attraction," he
said in the News of the World.

"Liverpool have a Spanish coach and I also have a lot of friends there," he
said.

"When Rafa [Benitez] was coach at Valencia and I was at Zaragoza there was
contact about me joining Valencia but I couldn't arrive until the year
after he left there."

http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/06/153/PremLa-Liga-Villa-on-Liverpool/

Ex-Liverpool FC star Djibril Cisse in blackmail plot

by Ben Rossington, Liverpool Echo

FORMER Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is being blackmailed by burglars who
stole an 'intimate' video from his home.

The French star, who signed on at Anfield in a deal worth more than £14m in
2004, was back in Liverpool last week on holiday when he learned of the
break-in.

Thieves trashed his Marseille home before phoning the 26-year-old to make
ransom demands.

If he does not pay them £120,000, the gang are threatening to release the
tape on the internet.

Police have made one arrest since the demands were made on Monday but the
suspect was released without charge after being questioned.

Cisse, who left Liverpool for Olympique de Marseille in 2006 on loan before
sealing a permanent deal a year later, was seen back in the city at Stella
McCartney's 'Stella Loves Liverpool' fashion show, attended by a host of
stars before the Liverpool Sound concert on Sunday June 1.

He was spotted again at the Liverpool tattoo convention this weekend.

But now the player has cut short his break and returned home to help police
in their investigations.

He is said to have informed the authorities when the ransom call was made
and has now flown back to the south of France to meet with detectives.

French newspaper Le Provence last night described the video as containing
'very intimate and private personal images'.

A French police spokesman said: "A video DVD was been stolen from Mr
Cisse's home in Marseille.

"The nature of it contents are not clear, but men have threatened to
broadcast it on the net if he does not meet their demands."

He added: "Our investigation is underway and no more information can be
released at this stage."

Striker Cisse was brought to Anfield by Gerard Houllier.

While at Liverpool, Cisse met his wife, Welsh hairdresser Jude Littler, and
the couple have one son.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/11/ex-liverpool-fc-star-djibril-cisse-in-blackmail-plot-100252-21057166/

Liverpool FC ready to raise Gareth Barry stakes

by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL are weighing up an improved bid for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.

Reports today claim the Reds are ready to make a straight £15m cash offer,
after Villa confirmed yesterday their skipper wants to join the Reds.

Anfield officials said today such reports were "categorically untrue" and
they have still not decided how much or when their latest offer will be tabled.

But with boss Rafa Benitez keen to wrap up a deal, an improved offer is
likely to be made later today.

Benitez has already had offers of £10m and £12m rejected by Villa
counterpart Martin O'Neill.

And in a statement yesterday Villa said: "Gareth Barry has stated in
discussions with our manager he would like to leave Aston Villa to join
Liverpool.

"But Liverpool's bid for the player has been rejected and they have been
informed of Villa's continued position in this matter."

It appears that O'Neill is intent on squeezing every last cent out of
Anfield before allowing his captain to leave.

The Villa boss has always claimed that his skipper is worth as much as
Javier Mascherano, who joined Liverpool for £18m in January – even though
the Argentine is three years younger.

Spain coach Luis Aragones, meanwhile, has played down fears of an injury to
Fernando Torres following his side's Euro 2008 opener in which they
defeated Russia 4-1.

The Liverpool striker was replaced after 54 minutes by Arsenal midfielder
Cesc Fabregas, despite creating the crucial breakthrough goal for
co-striker David Villa.

But Aragones explained: "There was no injury whatsoever. Torres has had a
long tough season, he will be a very important player for us.

"But at that point we needed more strength in the centre of midfield. He
was a very important player in helping (David) Villa score the first goal
and he made it tough for our opponents."

Meanwhile, reports today have linked Liverpool's reserve goalkeeper Charles
Itandje with a move to Fulham for a nominal fee.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/11/liverpool-fc-ready-to-raise-gareth-barry-stakes-100252-21056391/

Rafa Benitez: I am at Liverpool FC for good

David Prentice

RAFA BENITEZ today confirmed his "100% commitment" to Liverpool Football
Club - despite yesterday's bleak financial figures.

The first accounts produced by Kop Holdings Ltd showed a £33m loss.

While this summer's transfer budget had already been catered for in the
January refinancing package, the Reds boss must still sell to generate
further funds – but he insisted today that he remained totally focused on
the task of restoring the Reds to the pinnacle of the Premier League.

"I said at the end of the season that I was very happy here and I will say
it again," said Benitez.

"The supporters have been absolutely magnificent with me, the staff are
working very hard and I would not have brought players like Fernando Torres
and the young players we have here if I did not have a long term vision for
the club.

"Now is not the time to be saying goodbye!

"Fernando's agent has asked about my Liverpool future and my answer is that
I am 100% committed.

"If we had a lot of money to spend it would obviously be better. But if we
don't it doesn't matter.

"It is not about buying the most expensive players, it is about buying the
right players and we can sell some players to get the others we need.

"We have the spine of the team and we just need others in other positions.

"Some teams around us are spending £20m and £30m on one or two players. But
the important thing is to get the right players and my staff are working
hard to do that."

Gareth Barry remains Liverpool's transfer priority and the Aston Villa
skipper has turned up the heat on his club in a bid to push through his
dream move to Anfield.

The Villa skipper phoned boss Martin O'Neill at the European Championships
to plead for a move to Liverpool.

Villa rejected a £10m bid for Barry the day after Liverpool's Champions
League semi-final defeat by Chelsea, then turned down an improved cash plus
players offer.

Since then Steve Gerrard has declared: "I am desperate for us to sign him,"
and Barry himself has made it clear he would relish the switch.

The midfielder, who scored his first England goal in Trinidad last weekend,
has now intensified his efforts to quit Villa Park.

Barry's agent, Alex Black, said: "Gareth has spoken to Martin since he
returned from England's game in Trinidad and told him how he feels. At this
stage of his career Gareth wants to be playing Champions League football
and believes this is his chance to do it."

Villa want a premium price for their captain's services and are refusing
any player-plus-cash offers.

But Barry hopes a compromise deal can be thrashed out at around £15m.

Espanyol winger Albert Riera is also a player Liverpool have looked at, but
the Reds are not anticipating any imminent offer for his services.

Gerrard, meanwhile, must wait until August to discover whether he has won
the race to become captain of club and country, despite reports suggesting
Fabio Capello had already decided on the Reds star.

Gerrard was Capello's first England skipper against Switzerland, with John
Terry, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham and Gareth Barry all wearing the
armband since. But Capello insisted he will wait a few more weeks before
deciding who will lead England into the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

"I have two candidates to be captain," he said. "I think (I will decide) in
August, ten days before the start of the new season."

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/10/rafa-benitez-i-am-at-liverpool-fc-for-good-64375-21050467/

Reds target to stay put

Laurent Picard

Liverpool have reportedly failed in their bid to try and sign Bordeaux
goalkeeper Ulrich Rame.

The 35-year-old was rumoured to have been offered a two-year deal by The
Reds, possibly to replace Charles Itandje as Jose Reina's number two, but
the French club's chairman Jean-Louis Triaud claims his captain is not on
his way to Anfield.

France international Rame, who impressed Rafa Benitez when his team faced
Bordeaux in the Champions League two seasons ago, has not asked his boss
for a move and Triaud is confident he will remain with Les Girondins.

For me there's no debate, Triaud told Le Parisien. We wish Ulrich to stay.

He'll still be there next season.

I have been told about Liverpool for ages; if he really wanted to go there,
he would have told me.

We will hold talks about his new contract at the right moment.

Nevertheless, for the players who want to go elsewhere, the next Champions
League will be a beautiful window to show what they can do.

http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/06/10/Prem-Rame-president-on-Reds-link/

Barry keen on Reds chance

Gareth Barry wants to join Liverpool in the summer, according to the Aston Villa captain's agent.

Liverpool have made the England international a leading transfer target and have already had one bid rejected by their Premier League rivals.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is determined to ward off any further interest in the 27-year-old, who has spent his entire career with the club.

But Barry's agent Alex Black says the player has held talks with O'Neill to outline his desire to play UEFA Champions League football.

Black also intimated that Barry is keen to discuss a move to Liverpool after making almost 400 appearances for Villa.

"Gareth has spoken to Martin since he returned from England's game in Trinidad and told him how he feels," Black told The Sun.

"At this stage of his career Gareth wants to be playing Champions League football and believes this is his chance to do it."

Reds skipper Steven Gerrard recently admitted that he is 'desperate' for his good friend to join him at Anfield.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3672094,00.html

We want you out, Liverpool FC fans tell owners

HUNDREDS of Liverpool fans united to protest at Anfield against the club's
American owners.

They gathered on Walton Breck Road outside the Kop yesterday in another
message of opposition to Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Banners saying Yanks OUT and Repossessed were pinned on railings around the
ground.

A padlock was fastened to the Shankly Gates in a symbolic gesture to
signify their unhappiness with the current regime.

The SOS fans group also planned to lobby supporters visiting the club shop
about the protest.

Alan Kayll, from Spirit of Shankly, said: "When David Moores sold the club,
he did so to allow the club to compete for the very best players and
simultaneously build the stadium.

"The stadium finances are nowhere near being secured and we cannot compete
for top quality now or have any great prospects for the future.

"Selling the family silver to Hicks and Gillett has proven to be a massive
mistake, and every Liverpool supporter has to act and campaign against what
is happening to our club."

Red Francis Stanton added: "Our repossession is about the rightful owners
of the club claiming it back from the "tenants".

"Why can the club not afford to bid for 17-year-old prospects even when the
manager wants them? We have paid the rent for our custodians long enough.
It's time for an eviction."

The ownership of Liverpool remains in the balance with American co-owners
Tom Hicks and George Gillett at loggerheads.

The Dubai-based consortium DIC has shown interest buying the club, but
Hicks has repeatedly stated his intention of keeping hold of his 50% share.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/09/we-want-you-out-liverpool-fc-fans-tell-owners-100252-21044301/

First set of accounts pile pressure on Liverpool’s warring owners

More than 300 Liverpool fans spent yesterday posting eviction notices at
Anfield, demanding repossession of the club, and the pressure on Tom Hicks
and George Gillett Jr, the warring American owners, will increase with the
publication of their first set of accounts.

Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd, one of the club's parent companies, made a £33
million loss in the year ending July 31, 2007, according to accounts
submitted to Companies House last week. The club's £350 million loans will
also have to be refinanced as early as January and the club must pay
interest on a £64 million loan from Kop Football Ltd, its immediate parent
company.

The accounts reveal that the owners wrote off £10.3 million when they
scrapped the club's design for a new stadium after their takeover in
February 2007 and Liverpool fans will be irked to learn that the co-owners
claimed more than £1.4 million in expenses in the seven-month period
concerned.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article4092788.ece

Newcastle furious with Liverpool offer for Milner

Newcastle United are furious with Liverpool after they offered three
"nonentities" in part-exchange for winger James Milner.
United have found themselves in an identical situation to Aston Villa when
Martin O'Neill went ballistic after Rafael Benitez tried the same trick
with them in a bid to lure Gareth Barry to Anfield.

O'Neill never went public with the players he was offered by Liverpool, but
the Evening Chronicle revealed that Benitez has dangled 19-year-old
defenders Emiliano Insua and Jack Hobbs in front of United.

The third player was so insignificant that the St James?s Park source could
not even recall his name - and needless to say United will not be biting.

Insua is an Argentinian who was signed from Nobby Solano's old club Boca
Juniors, while Hobbs has been on loan at Scunthorpe since the January
transfer window.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=97011

Reds' Alonso 'waiting' on transfer to Juventus

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is waiting to hear from Juventus after
admitting he would be open to a move to Turin.

The Spain international has been closely linked with a switch to the Serie
A giants after four seasons in England with the Reds.

'I am waiting,' Alonso told Gazzetta dello Sport from Spain's training base
in Neustift.

'I know that Juve are interested and I also know there has been contact
with Liverpool and with my agent.

'I am really very proud that a club so strong and historic as Juve like me.
Juve is a very special club and one that I like.'

The 26-year-old, who has a contract with Liverpool until 2012, believes he
would have no problem adapting to life in Serie A.

'It has nothing to do with characteristics or where you are,' he said.

'A good player feels comfortable anywhere.

'After four years in the Liga and four in the Premiership, to play in Italy
would be like completing my career.'

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=543579&campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5901

Bentley links heat up

Rafa Benitez is reported to be looking very hard at David Bentley as the solution to his right wing problems. With FIFA looking to ram through their 6+5 proposal, Liverpool could be looking to add more Englishmen to the squad. English players of the appropriate quality but who aren t already owned by Chelsea or Manchester United can be difficult to locate, but in Garth Barry and Bentley, Liverpool may have found a pair.

Blackburn may not have much choice when it comes to losing their star. Having missed out on a UEFA Cup place, they ve also recently lost manager Mark Hughes to Manchester City. The winger is expected to lead the list of players who will look elsewhere for success.

One hindrance will be the transfer fee. With the boardroom scuffles still without a winner, there is no huge chest of cash awaiting Benitez. Any deal will have to wait for Xabi Alonso s sale and will most likely involve a switch of one of Liverpool s unneeded players. Peter Crouch, Scott Carson, and John Arne Riise are believed to be available.

Bentley, who has recently broken into the England squad, could be breaking into the top four so many years after leaving Arsenal.

http://kop-tv.com/go/bentley-links-heat-up/

Rafa Benitez’s Euro ‘08 Column

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is writing a column in Spanish newspaper El
Mundo following the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland,
which kick off on Saturday. Here we (roughly) translate his first column….

Welcome to the Eurocopa 2008 and welcome to this column.

As many of you will know, fortunately, my professional obligations do not
permit me contributions of this type during the season. Therefore I will
take advantage of this opportunity that THE WORLD offers me to cause to
arrive some of my ideas on the football in general and the Eurocopa
particularly.

In the first place, I will tell them that my idea of the good football and
of a good team passes for a stable, orderly assembly in defense and
desequilibrante in attack. For that they cause lacks players that interpret
well the football, that know when one must play short and when one must do
it long, when one must enter for the centre and when by the wings, when one
must maintain the ball and when one must leave quickly to the
counterattack. All in all, players of quality. I do not speak of jugglers
neither simply technical players. I speak of football players truly, the
ones that take advantage of its conditions so that its team win playing
possible the best, that know to be adapted if is necessary, that try to
impose its style of play, but that they can vary it so that its team be
benefited and win.

In the current football, the imbalance in attack is increasingly more
collective or tactical, depends more on a group of players or of a position
in the country that of an only player. Therefore it calls more the
attention the skillful player, but one must know to distinguish between the
skillful player and the desequilibrante.

The first one bargains or is entertained with the technical ball showing
quality; the second wins parties, is a constant threat for the rival and a
solution for its companions when do not find the road. With a single sound
supplies another companion, distances itself when and where owes, endeavors
to do it well and tries to do always what benefits its team. In short, that
plays well to the football to win, not only for the gallery.

After explaining them this, I will give them my vision of this competition
as the coach in assets, something that causes contemplates you the Eurocopa
since another perspective. I believe that for a group of footballers that
has played so many parties during the season - in the case of the Liverpool
they have been 59 - there are too many encounters in the prior phase. By
giving opportunities to all the selections, there are parties that, to
priori, they do not have a lot of interest. As the player or coach, no
sense for me makes to confront a party thinking how many goals are going to
put me and to leave happy if we do not insert more than three. And as the
spectator does neither enjoy itself equal when the level of the rival one
is not the adequate one. Besides, this accumulation of efforts enlarges the
risk of wounds. Ryan Babel has been injured for five or six weeks,
Cannavaro will neither be able to play the Eurocopa. And that is only the
principle. As for the possibilities of the different selections, I believe
that all we will bet on the same teams with scarce variations. Portugal has
the potential and a good calendar, Germany seems the strongest one of the
group B, with permission of Croatia. The group C is, with difference, the
most difficult one because as much France as Holland and Italy can win it.
The fortress of this group finishes being evil for Spain, that is the
selection that more interests us, since if progresses in its group, that
will do it, will be faced to a very strong selection be which be its name.

Nevertheless all we trust that this be the year in which at last we take
advantage of all the talent and potential that we have and that be obtained
the desired title that all we desire.

Luck and good football.

http://www.thisisanfield.com/news/2008/06/rafa-benitezs-euro-08-column/

Barry can go: Villa to cave in and take £14m Liverpool offer

Aston Villa are reluctantly ready to allow Gareth Barry to join Liverpool
in a £14million deal even though manager Martin O'Neill remains adamant the
England midfielder should stay.

Senior figures at Villa Park now view the matter as a lost cause and feel
holding out for the best price is the only viable option. They, and Barry,
may be kept waiting though Rafa Benitez continues his frantic efforts to
generate the necessary funds through outgoing transfers.

His attempts to find common ground with Portsmouth over Peter Crouch have
foundered on his demand for £10million plus players, with midfielder Sulley
Muntari believed to be at the top of his wanted list.

Portsmouth have no intention of meeting Liverpool's valuation and
negotiations with Juventus are proving just as difficult over the terms of
Xabi Alonso's proposed move there. With the Italians insisting on staggered
payments over three years, the Liverpool boss wants £16million in the hope
of securing enough up front to finance his Barry move.

His hopes of agreeing a player-exchange deal with Villa have been hit by a
clear signal from Crouch that he is only interested in joining Portsmouth,
although O'Neill could accept right back Steve Finnan as part of the package.

Liverpool have failed to attract acceptable offers for other fringe
players, such as Jermaine Pennant and John Arne Riise, although Roma are
lining up a £5m bid for the Norwegian. Udinese left back Andrea Dossena is
about complete his £7m move and could be followed into Anfield by Newcastle
winger James Milner or Espanyol's Riera.

With Villa confident of landing Milner, Riera looks favourite to fill the
vacancy on the flanks with Espanyol already seeking a replacement.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1024554/Barry-Villa-cave-14m-Liverpool-offer.html

Reds go cool on Ramsey

by Tony Barrett

LIVERPOOL'S interest in Aaron Ramsey is unlikely to lead to a formal offer
being made for the Welsh wonderkid.

The Reds have monitored Ramsey's progress for more than a year and Rafa
Benitez is an admirer of his obvious talent but the Liverpool manager knows
his priority is to improve the first team this summer and is reluctant to
spend a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on a teenager with just 22
games to his name.

Cardiff City have accepted bids in the region of £5m for the 17-year-old
midfielder from Man United, Everton and Arsenal but at that price,
Liverpool's interest is likely to cool.

Benitez has identified several areas of his squad which he is keen to
strengthen with the full-back and wide positions being top of his list and
Liverpool's transfer activity will be centred on those areas.

Philipp Degen has already been snapped up and Liverpool are waiting for the
formalities of Andrea Dossena's medical to be completed before finalising
his transfer from Udinese.

The £7m fee Liverpool have agreed with Udinese is based on an up front
payment of £6m with add-ons and incentives.

Though Benitez would like to be able to move for Ramsey he is not willing
to sacrifice other transfer targets whom he feels will have a more
immediate impact.

As the Reds boss reshapes his squad ahead of the forthcoming campaign there
is no shortage of interest in those members of his squad who have fallen
out of favour.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has admitted for the first time that he
would like to take Peter Crouch back to Fratton Park, although he is
unwilling to meet Benitez's £15m asking price.

While Roma have firmed up their long standing interest in John Arne Riise
with an opening offer for the Norwegian only for it to fall short of
Liverpool's valuation.

Redknapp said: "I don't know if the avenue for Peter Crouch is shut or not.
If Liverpool are asking £15m for him it is certainly shut.

"I like Peter, but he belongs to Liverpool at the moment.

"If the price is right something could happen. If they wanted £10m it would
certainly be more interesting. We do need another front man."

Meanwhile, Steve Finnan has revealed he is considering coming out of
international retirement to play for new Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni
Trapattoni.

The Ireland manager is keen to persuade the Reds right back to return to
the international fold and Finnan says he is planning to hold talks with
Trapattoni.

"We're going to have a chat," he said. "When a new manager comes in that's
normal, and out of respect you have to do so.

"The opportunity to work with someone of that experience is very tempting.
He's got a great CV and he's done really well at lots of clubs. Everyone in
my position would consider it.

"No deadline's been put on making a final decision but I take it he'll want
to know before the first World Cup qualifier."

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/05/reds-go-cool-on-ramsey-100252-21028193/

Fernando Torres: Premier League goalkeepers and defenders are poor quality

By Giles Mole

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has delivered a damning verdict on the
quality of goalkeepers and defenders in the Premier League.

The Spaniard, currently on international duty with his country at the
European championships, scored 33 goals in his first season at Anfield -
the most by any top-flight player in a debut season.

As well as his own undoubted ability, Torres puts his goalscoring exploits
in the Premier League down to poor play at the back by opponents.

Unsurprisingly, the only two keepers he actually rates - Edwin van der Sar
and Petr Cech - play for the two top teams, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Torres told the Sun: "In England, the keepers usually come out too soon and
try to go one on one with you.

"The only exceptions are Edwin van der Sar and Petr Cech, who hold and hold
and try to keep themselves big as you close in on them.

"That's why, against Manchester United and Chelsea, I try to hit the ball
early.

"The rest of the Premier League keepers tend to come out at you and throw
themselves down at the ball too quickly.

"In general, that's the reason so many goals are scored when a striker
dribbles down the right or left and the keeper goes down at his feet. But
if you anticipate what's coming, it's easier to score.

"The central defenders are usually big, strong, aggressive lads. I guess it
is probably because of these characteristics that the majority think they
can solve problems by getting tough with me.

"But the truth is most of them lack defensive positioning as a result of
their reliance on strength and aggression and so leave so much space for
you to take advantage of."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/05/ufntorres105.xml