YOSSI BENAYOUN will join Roma this month according to the Serie A club’s coach Luciano Spalletti.
Despite Liverpool claiming that the Israeli midfielder is not for sale, Benayoun, who joined the club from West Ham United last summer is one of the players Benitez would consider sacrificing should the right offer come along in order to raise funds to finally seal a deal for Gareth Barry.
Roma have already made one successful raid on Anfield this summer, recruiting Norwegian left-back John Arne Riise for £4million and with Javier Mascherano at the Olympics with Argentina and Steven Gerrard injured, Benitez could be tempted into letting Benayoun go as he looks to add more steel to his midfield.
Spalletti revealed that he will bring two new signings to the Stadio Olimpico, claiming one of whom is Benayoun, whose squad number has been moved up from 11 to 15.
The 28-year-old winger declared earlier this week that he had no desire to leave Anfield, but speculation continues to mount over his future, with Manchester City and former club West Ham also linked with a move for the player who has netted in both of the last two matches, at Rangers and Valerenga.
However, Spalletti insists that Benayoun will be one of two arrivals in the Italian capital this summer.
He said: “There will be two new signings. The names? They’re the names you’ve heard. (Jeremy) Menez (of Monaco) and Benayoun are both top class players.”
Captain Gerrard remains a doubt for next Wednesday’s Champions League third qualifying round tie in Belgium against Standard Liege after a scan yesterday confirmed the club’s initial diagnosis.
Gerrard hobbled out of Tuesday night’s 4-1 win in Norway and is definitely out of tomorrow’s friendly against Lazio at Anfield.
Benitez said: “Scans have confirmed our diagnosis of a thigh strain.
“Steven will be out for more or less a week.”
Gerrard’s injury could help convince Liverpool to part with Benayoun as in-form Xabi Alonso could retain his place in central midfield for the Standard game thus making him cup-tied for Champions League matches and thus a less desirable target for suitors.
It would therefore be less likely that the Spaniard could be sacrificed to help fund the Barry deal.
One player who remains very much part of the Anfield furniture as he prepares to embark on his 10th season at the club is Sami Hyypia and the 34-year-old Finn claims that Liverpool’s more youthful players help to keep him feeling young.
He said: “Of course it gets a little bit more difficult as you get older but I have enjoyed this pre-season. I have played and I feel fit.
“We all get older but there are a lot of young lads who keep me fit in this team.”
Since arriving on Merseyside in 1999 from Dutch club Willem II, Hyypia has won every major domestic and European honour – except one.
With one year left on his contract the centre-back accepts the 2008/09 campaign could provide him with a final chance to land the Premier League title and if it is his last season then he is determined to go out on a high.
He said: “Hopefully it won’t be my last opportunity but of course every year we have high hopes that we’ll be closer to the top. This year is the same.
“We have strengthened the team with good quality players in the summer and hopefully we will be stronger this season.”
With less than a week to go until the start of Liverpool’s competitive fixtures, Hyypia is pleased with the team’s form having played in the second half of the 4-1 victory over Valerenga.
He said: “It was a good work-out for us and that was the main point, to get a good work-out before the season.
“We have been working hard and it showed a little bit against Valerenga. I think we will be ready for next week and the Champions League qualifier.”
Despite Liverpool claiming that the Israeli midfielder is not for sale, Benayoun, who joined the club from West Ham United last summer is one of the players Benitez would consider sacrificing should the right offer come along in order to raise funds to finally seal a deal for Gareth Barry.
Roma have already made one successful raid on Anfield this summer, recruiting Norwegian left-back John Arne Riise for £4million and with Javier Mascherano at the Olympics with Argentina and Steven Gerrard injured, Benitez could be tempted into letting Benayoun go as he looks to add more steel to his midfield.
Spalletti revealed that he will bring two new signings to the Stadio Olimpico, claiming one of whom is Benayoun, whose squad number has been moved up from 11 to 15.
The 28-year-old winger declared earlier this week that he had no desire to leave Anfield, but speculation continues to mount over his future, with Manchester City and former club West Ham also linked with a move for the player who has netted in both of the last two matches, at Rangers and Valerenga.
However, Spalletti insists that Benayoun will be one of two arrivals in the Italian capital this summer.
He said: “There will be two new signings. The names? They’re the names you’ve heard. (Jeremy) Menez (of Monaco) and Benayoun are both top class players.”
Captain Gerrard remains a doubt for next Wednesday’s Champions League third qualifying round tie in Belgium against Standard Liege after a scan yesterday confirmed the club’s initial diagnosis.
Gerrard hobbled out of Tuesday night’s 4-1 win in Norway and is definitely out of tomorrow’s friendly against Lazio at Anfield.
Benitez said: “Scans have confirmed our diagnosis of a thigh strain.
“Steven will be out for more or less a week.”
Gerrard’s injury could help convince Liverpool to part with Benayoun as in-form Xabi Alonso could retain his place in central midfield for the Standard game thus making him cup-tied for Champions League matches and thus a less desirable target for suitors.
It would therefore be less likely that the Spaniard could be sacrificed to help fund the Barry deal.
One player who remains very much part of the Anfield furniture as he prepares to embark on his 10th season at the club is Sami Hyypia and the 34-year-old Finn claims that Liverpool’s more youthful players help to keep him feeling young.
He said: “Of course it gets a little bit more difficult as you get older but I have enjoyed this pre-season. I have played and I feel fit.
“We all get older but there are a lot of young lads who keep me fit in this team.”
Since arriving on Merseyside in 1999 from Dutch club Willem II, Hyypia has won every major domestic and European honour – except one.
With one year left on his contract the centre-back accepts the 2008/09 campaign could provide him with a final chance to land the Premier League title and if it is his last season then he is determined to go out on a high.
He said: “Hopefully it won’t be my last opportunity but of course every year we have high hopes that we’ll be closer to the top. This year is the same.
“We have strengthened the team with good quality players in the summer and hopefully we will be stronger this season.”
With less than a week to go until the start of Liverpool’s competitive fixtures, Hyypia is pleased with the team’s form having played in the second half of the 4-1 victory over Valerenga.
He said: “It was a good work-out for us and that was the main point, to get a good work-out before the season.
“We have been working hard and it showed a little bit against Valerenga. I think we will be ready for next week and the Champions League qualifier.”
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