Brazilian Leiva Unveiled By LiverpooL

Liverpool's new Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva says he cannot wait to get started at Anfield.

Leiva, 20, was unveiled on Thursday after signing for an undisclosed fee from Gremio and is with the squad on their tour of the Far East.

Leiva told the club's website: "I am very happy to be at Liverpool. It is a club respected throughout the world.

"There is a great selection of top stars at this club and it is a fantastic opportunity for me."

Reds boss Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool have signed one of world football's best young talents.

Lucas is a young player with great experience," said Benitez. "We have known about him for a long time and had to move quickly to sign him because many top clubs were interested.

"Lucas is not a typical Brazilian player but he's a clever player who wants the ball all the time, which is important.

"He will need time but I think we've signed a really excellent prospect."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has also predicted a bright future for the captain of Brazil's Under-20 side.

Gerrard said: "From what I've seen of him so far he's got everything you need in a Liverpool player; good touch, good passing and he's also a good lad off the field.

"I expect him to be knocking on the door of the first team before too long and hopefully, in time, he can help us win many trophies."

Comment: If this guy is selected for the Brazilian national squad at the age of 20, then he must have been playing some great football. Let's hope that he could spark some magic in the Liverpool camp.

LiverpooL To Play Torres, Babel & Gerrard

Liverpool will be at full strength for the Asia Trophy final after record signing Fernando Torres was given permission to play and Steven Gerrard recovered from injury, their coach said on Thursday.

Rafael Benitez said Torres and Dutch forward Ryan Babel had international clearance for Friday's match against Portsmouth after a bureaucratic bungle ruled them out of the semi-final.

"Torres and Babel have been cleared and have permission to play," Benitez said, adding that England star Gerrard had recovered from a stomach problem. "I think he's OK. He will be all right."

Torres and Babel were left out of Tuesday's game because they did not have the international clearance needed to appear in a Premier League-endorsed competition.

The triple absences disappointed thousands of fans at Hong Kong Stadium and forced Benitez to field a makeshift line-up which toiled to a 3-1 win against local minnows South China.

"We had some problems without Torres and Babel," Benitez admitted. "Now we have new options and fresh legs, and maybe we can manage the final in a different way.

"Portsmouth will be very difficult to play against but at least we will have more options."

Benitez side-stepped the latest barbs from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who raised the stakes by saying Liverpool were under pressure to deliver this season.

But he admitted he wanted more bite from the 18-time English champions who have not won the domestic league since 1990.

"I would like to see more goals. We were attacking a lot [last season] but I feel we can improve now," he said.

"We will have more options up front. Depending on the game we can play more crosses with Crouch or down the line with Voronin.

"If we want to change the game I can use another style of striker so I think it will be good for the team."

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina said he expected the highly-rated Torres to make an instant impact on the Premiership after moving from Spain's Atletico Madrid, where he was top scorer for the past five seasons.

"It won't be a problem for him - I expect him to score as soon as he comes," Reina said.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp, whose side beat Fulham 1-0 to reach the final, tipped Liverpool finally to challenge for the Premier League title.

"They're looking very strong," said Redknapp. "The backbone of their team is still [Jamie] Carragher and Gerrard but they've added some talent this year and they will get a lot closer to Chelsea and Manchester United, I'm sure."

Redknapp said he would unveil forward John Utaka, Portsmouth's seventh signing this summer as they push for a European spot.

Introducing The New LiverpooL Stadium

Liverpool Football Club has unveiled plans for its new £300m stadium in Stanley Park.

The 60,000-seat stadium – designed by US-based architects HKS – will replace the club’s famous Anfield ground, where the team has played since 1892.

Chief executive Rick Parry said: “It was always the aim of the club, with the backing of our owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to be world-class both on and off the pitch.

“When they took over, the first thing Tom and George wanted to do was review the stadium both in terms of the design and the capacity.

“We’re building a stadium that not only the club and supporters can be proud of, but something the whole city can be proud of. Liverpool is a city on the move and deserves world-class developments like this.”

The Stanley Park stadium has an asymmetrical design, with an 18,000-seat single tier stand, and will also incorporate facilities for the Anfield Sport and Community Centre and Liverpool Hope University, and its external amenities will include tennis courts and multi-use games area.

The stadium is expected to be completed in 2010.

Liverpool Too Strong For South China

Liverpool set up a Barclays Asia Trophy final clash with Portsmouth after seeing off a spirited South China outfit 3-1.

A side with skipper Steven Gerrard and summer signings Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel were given a testing examination as goals from John Arne Riise, Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger finally saw off the hosts at Hong Kong Stadium.

Riise opened the scoring after nine minutes with a trademark blistering free-kick from the edge of the area that left keeper Zhang Chunhui with little chance as it arrowed its way into the top corner.

Harry Kewell's ball into the box caused panic in the South China defence shortly afterwards and the ball broke to Andriy Voronin but the Ukraine striker could not apply the finish.

Jose Luis' side then nearly grabbed an equaliser as first an in-swinging corner was cleared almost off the line before the Liverpool defence misjudged a deep cross but Bai Hei spooned his shot wide when well placed.

The home side fell further behind after 26 minutes when Alonso's cute through ball split the South China defence and Voronin was bundled over in the box. Alonso slotted home the spot kick low to Zhang's left.

However, South China halved the deficit just after the half hour mark when, after Mohammed Sissoko had been penalised for a foul near the right touchline, skipper Li Haiqiang curled a brilliant effort into the top corner of Scott Carson's net from 30 yards.

Alonso went close with a couple of long-range drives before the interval, the first from a Peter Crouch lay-off after persistent work from Voronin and the second when the ball fell to him after Crouch's surging run was stopped in its tracks as the Reds maintained their advantage.

The second half opened in low-key fashion but Dirk Kuyt, who had replaced Crouch, fired over when Alvaro Arbeola's low cross picked the Dutchman out on the far side of the area.

Voronin went close after 70 minutes when the striker rose to meet Kuyt's cross from the left but just could not keep his header down as it went narrowly over the bar.

A third was not long in coming though as Agger rounded off a beautifully worked goal after 72 minutes.

It was the centre-back who started it as he intercepted a pass and rode a couple of challenges before feeding Riise on the left.

The Norwegian's cross picked out Kuyt and he teed up Agger to drive the ball home from inside the box.

Zhang then produced two good stops in the space of two minutes as he first parried Kuyt's strong effort before denying Jermaine Pennant at the far post.

Liverpool should have scored a fourth two minutes from time but Voronin could only get minimal contact on Pennant's teasing cross and Kuyt somehow could not turn it in at the far post.

My comment: Not bad at all.....five wins out of five matches. However, golden boy Torres has yet to find the net. Conversely, Voronin has been playing some impressive football. Hopefully the likes of Torres, Crouch and Kuyt will find their scoring touch when the new season starts.

LiverpooL Hunting For Real Madrid Youngster

Reports in Spain suggest Liverpool are pushing hard to secure the services of another Spanish youngster, Real Madrid's Javi Garcia.

The 20-year-old defensive midfielder, part of the Spain side that won the Under 19 European Championship in 2006, has spent the last five seasons at Real having joined from a regional side in his hometown of Murcia.

Highly rated within the corridors of the Santiago Bernabeu, he was expected to graduate to Real's first team last season, but found his progress blocked by the summer signings of Emerson and Mahamadou Diarra.

As a result he spent the majority of the campaign - a handful of UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey games aside - with Real's B side, Castilla, and is now reported to be anxious for a chance to prove himself at first-team level.

With another change in management at the Bernabeu this summer that is far from guaranteed and he is now mulling over a number of offers to move on.

Real are keen to extend his contract which expires next summer, but Liverpool and Atletico Madrid are understood to be leading the chase for his signature, with both ready to part with €3million (£2million) to land the youngster.

Mallorca, Getafe and Deportivo are also keen on Garcia but Liverpool and Atletico appear in the driving seat should the player choose to end his stay at Real.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez does have the advantage of sharing the same agent as Garcia, Manuel Garcia Quilon, although Atletico may feel they have a trump card of their own as Garcia's cousin, and former Liverpool player, Luis Garcia, now plies his trade at the Vicente Calderon.

Finnan Signs New LiverpooL Deal

Liverpool's Republic of Ireland full-back Steve Finnan has agreed a new three-year contract to stay at Anfield.

Finnan joined the Reds in a £3.5m deal from Fulham in 2003 and has made 181 appearances for the club.

The 31-year-old is expected to sign the deal when the Liverpool squad returns from their pre-season tour of Asia.

Liverpool is currently in Hong Kong for the Premier League Asia Cup which also features Portsmouth, Fulham and South China.

Finnan was signed by former Reds boss Gerard Houllier but has remained first-choice under the Frenchman's successor Rafael Benitez.

He was part of the Liverpool teams that won the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006.

Personal comment: Good old Finnan, never doubted his loyalty for the Merseyside club. Always been playing consistently. Great move of extending his contract.

Liverpool Consider Legal Action To Force Heinze Move

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed the club's lawyers are working on forcing through a deal for Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze after his initial bid for the player was rejected.

Recent speculation has linked the Reds with an offer in the region of £7million for the Argentina full-back, but any move appeared to have been ruled out by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

But Benitez has refused to back down in his pursuit of the 29-year-old and has revealed: "We made an offer which they rejected.

"The lawyers are now working on it and so we have to wait. He's a good player."

Ferguson last week poured scorn on any suggestion he might allow the former Paris St Germain player to leave for his club's bitterest rivals.

He said: "I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze.

"We can put that to bed right now and we have done so. We have had a couple offers for him and we have turned them down."

It later emerged that Heinze had a letter signed by chief executive David Gill promising he could leave if United received a big in excess of £6million - a figure Benitez is thought to have topped.

His representatives were reported to be considering legal action to push through the controversial deal - the first between the two clubs since Phil Chisnall moved to Anfield in 1964 - and it appears the Reds are also now willing to go to court to get their man.

My comment: I don't understand the fuss is all about....Ferguson knows pretty well that Heinze has the right to buy out his contract. Why would the Red Devil manager choose the hard way instead of releasing Heinze straight away?.....Some say he's the most brilliant football manager in the world.....well, think again.

Red Alert Torres Gets His Liverpool Eye In

Fernando Torres was introduced as a half-time substitute as Liverpool continued their preparations for the new season yesterday with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Auxerre in Switzerland.

The 23-year-old Spaniard was making his second appearance since arriving at Anfield earlier this month but, having recently recovered from a slight ankle injury, showed only glimpses of the form that encouraged Rafael Benítez to pay £26m for him.

Torres has enjoyed a low-key start to his career with the Premiership club - both his two outings have been on the Switzerland tour - but he will gain a taste of things to come when Liverpool arrive in Hong Kong for the Barclays Asia Trophy, where they play South China and then either Fulham or Portsmouth.

While Torres is still awaiting his first start Benítez's most recent signings, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun, were handed theirs against the French Ligue 1 side. But it was Steven Gerrard who caught the eye, ending a bland first 45 minutes with the opening goal seconds before half-time.

Daniel Agger completed the victory with a header from the impressive Nabil El Zhar's cross but the manner in which Liverpool's defence was cut open in the second half will concern Benítez.

"It was a strange game in many ways because we didn't play to our normal level yet we managed to score two good goals," said the Spaniard. "It was very hot conditions and we have been training hard, so we expected the players to feel a little tired. We have enjoyed our training camp in Switzerland and the players have worked very hard."

After Hong Kong Liverpool play in the Rotterdam Tournament - their last stop before the new season.

Carragher Ready For Asia Trophy Battle

Defender Jamie Carragher says the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong will give Liverpool a much needed fitness boost for the new season.

The Reds defeated Auxerre 2-0 in Fribourg on Friday afternoon before jetting out to Hong Kong for a game against a team from South China and then one against either Fulham or Portsmouth in the tournament.

In addition to handing legions of Liverpool fans in the Far East the opportunity to see their heroes in the flesh, Carragher insists it will provide the squad a chance to find their shaprness and allow the new boys to settle into the side.

"We haven't been there for a long time but we know we've got a lot of fans over there, so it will be nice for them and all the players are looking forward to it," he told the club's website.

"It's something different and will be a new experience for some of the lads. But the main thing is to go, improve our fitness and make sure we don't pick up any injuries.

"Team spirit is good at the moment. There's a lot of new faces but everyone is settling in really well."

Boss Rafa Benitez added: "We know that we have a lot of fans in Hong Kong and are looking forward to playing in front of them again.

"I'm sure they will give us wonderful support and we will do our best to win the Barclays Asia Trophy for them."

Pre-season Friendly : Auxerre 0 - 2 LiverpooL

Goals from Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger were enough to give Liverpool a deserved 2-0 win over Auxerre in their latest pre-season friendly.

Gerrard broke the deadlock in the 45th minute with a well-struck low shot from just inside the box following a clever dummy by Ryan Babel.

Agger then doubled the advantage midway through the second half when he headed home from a Nabil El Zhar corner.

In what was a fairly uneventful encounter in Fribourg, Switzerland, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel were handed their first starts in a red shirt, while young Bulgarian goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov made his debut.

Record signing Fernando Torres appeared as a half-time substitute and the boss again made several changes during another useful run-out.

Rafa's Reds now head off to Hong Kong for the Barclays Asia Trophy and, with a fourth successive summer win under their belts, they'll do so in high spirits.

Teams:

Liverpool:
Mihaylov, Arbeloa, Carragher, Paletta, Finnan, Babel, Gerrard MBE (captain), Hobbs, Benayoun, Voronin, Kuyt. Subs - Hyypia, Carson, Torres, El Zhar, Pennant, Darby, Reina, Alonso, Crouch, Agger, Riise

Auxerre:
Sorin, Jaures, Marcos (captain), Mignot, Martin, Legage, Pedretti, Thomas, Kahlenberg, Maoulida, Jelen. Subs - Lejeune, Traore, Riou, Jasse, Genest, Niculae, Tamas

Gabriel Heinze: See You In Court, Fergie

Gabriel Heinze will take his battle to join Liverpool from Manchester United to court.

Sir Alex Ferguson stated yesterday there was no way he would sell the 29-year-old to Liverpool.

However, United will have no choice if Heinze has a get-out clause, and now the defender is preparing to begin legal proceedings demanding his sale.

It’s been widely publicised in recent days Heinze has a letter signed by United chief executive David Gill allowing him to join any club which bids £6m – a valuation Liverpool are prepared to meet.

Despite their protests, it’s understood United did not have the foresight to add the phrase ‘except for Liverpool’ in this document.

Heinze’s representatives are confident of a swift court hearing forcing United to accept a £6m offer made by all interested clubs, including Liverpool.

The Anfield club made a formal bid for the defender which was rejected, but will now take a back seat and watch developments closely over the next few weeks.

Manager Rafa Benitez will want a new left back in his squad before the start of the season.

The capture of Heinze would represent a major coup for Benitez and, given Ferguson’s opposition to the move, would also inflict psychological torment on the United boss.

What’s clear is no matter how much Ferguson claims it won’t happen, the final decision is out of his hands.

My comment: Although I don't really fancy the move of Heinze, somehow I'm impressed with his desire to join the Liverpool squad. To bring this matter to court might cost him time and money but if he's willing to go through that hardship, I guess his intention will be good for Liverpool.

Riise Attempts To Raise His Game

Aware that Liverpool are in the marker for a new left-back, John Arne Riise has vowed to impress Rafael Benitez by raising his game.

The Norwegian, who has been a fixture in Benitez's plans, is facing a threat to his place on the left-hand side of Liverpool's team following reports that the Reds have launched a raid on Manchester United's Gabriel Heinze.

However, Manchester United's boss Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed any chance of a deal being struck, but nonetheless Riise is determined to stay focused and make it impossible for him to be dropped.

"There have been a lot of rumours lately about new people coming to the club so you know you need to step up a level," Riise told the Liverpool Echo.

"I've been working out during the summer because I wanted to show the manager (Rafael Benitez) I was fit and raring to go.

"The only response I can make is to stay focused on my game and hope the manager has enough faith in me to keep me playing. It's up to me, really.

"But I've always worked hard to show the manager I deserve to play.

"I've enjoyed a good six years here so I hope I've done more right than wrong during that time."

Personal comment: Riise undoubtedly has been one of the Liverpool faithful.....there are times when Liverpool does need his long shot tries. Defensively, he has got the pace but sometimes you can see him drifting off in the middle of the game. At least he's better than people like Silvestre or Wayne Bridge. He should remain in the squad.

Gerrard Eyes Premiership Title

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is delighted with the signings the club has made over the summer and feels there is now enough quality in the side to mount a serious challenge for the Premiership next season.

'I've watched what the other teams are doing in the market and they're all strengthening, but all those teams will be looking at us and thinking we are going to be all over them this season,' Gerrard told the LFC Magazine.

'I'm not going to start making any unnecessary predictions about what's going to happen this season and the last thing any of us need to do is build hopes up too much.

'But without doubt, if we all perform to our level each week, we have the players to push United and Chelsea all the way.

'We are looking in great shape, not only going into this season but for the next few years.

'I thought going away for the summer that we were three or four players away from where we need to be.

'Now I think we are in a great place to challenge United and Chelsea and I hope if we get things right from the beginning we can beat them to the big prizes this year.

'I've liked the way we've done business this summer. Previous years have shown how important it is to sort everything early in the pre-season, as it's not easy for players if they arrive just before the deadline.

'Hopefully with everyone having had the right amount of rest this summer we'll be able to hit the ground running when the Premiership begins. People say you can't win the league in August but I believe you can certainly lose it in the first month.

'It's fine saying it's a nine-month season and there is plenty of time to recover from a shaky start but it's hard playing catch-up week-in, week-out.

'The last thing you want to do is give teams like Manchester United and Chelsea a head start, making things even more difficult for you than they are already.'

LiverpooL Can Have Heinze

Argentina's Copa America finalist Gabriel Heinze will be allowed to leave Manchester United for Liverpool this summer - provided the Merseysiders meet United's asking price of £6 million.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports earlier this week: "Gaby's agent has advised us that he wants to move on.

“I am not too sure about that and we do not have a concrete offer from any particular club. But there is some momentum regarding the player's next move in terms of through his agent, even if nothing is close at this moment in time.”

Liverpool have expressed a definite interest, although manager Rafael Benitez, aware that no player has moved directly between the bitter rivals since 1964, when Phil Chisnall left Old Trafford for a brief, ill-starred spell at Anfield, has been concerned that United might block such an emotive transfer.

However, The Sun reports that Heinze has been told by United chiefs that he can join any club he wishes - as long as they come up with the required fee.

Ferguson has already spent £50 million on new talent this summer, and plans to splash out almost half as much again to bring Heinze's compatriot Carlos Tevez to Old Trafford.

The manager will be expected to recoup some of that outlay, and selling Heinze would help, after Kieran Richardson's move to Sunderland yesterday brought some £5.5 million back into the Old Trafford coffers.

My comment: Since Benitez is so eager to sign Heinze, there must be something up his sleeves, knowing the 'Master Of Tactician'. Maybe Benitez would use Heinze to compensate for the loss of Aurelio.

Rafa Raves Over Attacking Options

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has expressed his delight after watching four of his new attacking recruits in action on Tuesday night.

The Anfield boss handed Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun their debuts in Tuesday's 3-2 friendly win over Werder Bremen, but it was Andrei Voronin who stole the show.

The Ukrainian striker netted his first goal for the club, after signing on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, after just four minutes and he helped himself to another in the second half.

John Arne Riise was also on target for the Reds, but Benitez was full of praise for his summer squad additions and the attacking dimension they have brought to Liverpool.

"I was pleased to see us score three goals and it was nice for Torres, Benayoun and Babel to play their first game for us," Benitez said.

"You can see the different options we have now in attack. It was good for the supporters to see us attacking and playing some good football.

"It was not so good for me as a manger to see us conceding goals but there were many positives."

Meanwhile, Benitez has decided he will be allowing Javier Mascherano additional time off before the new season.

The Argentine midfielder has only recently finished participating in the Copa America and Benitez has said he will excuse the 23-year-old from Liverpool's forthcoming tour of the Far East.

"Mascherano will have 10 days off but, when he returns, he will stay at Melwood with the reserves," Benitez said.

"There would be too much travelling for him to come with us to Hong Kong, we don't want to kill the player before the start of the season."

Mascherano is expected to return to action in the friendly with Shanghai Shenhua in Rotterdam on August 3, eight days before Liverpool kick off their Premier League campaign away at Aston Villa.

Personal comment: It seems like Liverpool has started to score goals after all.....hopefully new boy Torres will get his name on the scoresheet soon. However, I do hope that they keep their defence in-tact as well.

Werder Bremen 2 - 3 LiverpooL

Andriy Voronin doesn’t appear to be sticking to the script. The free transfer showed the £26 million Torres and the watching Rafa Benitez that he has no intention of sitting on the Anfield bench.

The Reds won 3-2 against one of Germany’s best sides tonight in the most intriguing pre-season game to date.

Andriy Voronin scored twice and was a menace during his time on the pitch. Fernando Torres came on to replace him and had a solid debut - coming close twice to opening his Liverpool account. Good news for reds fans is that Momo Sissoko is starting to find his feet against better opposition.

Liverpool will take heart from this performance and the reds will face Djibril Cisse’s old club, Auxerre, on Friday night.

Teams

Liverpool:
Carson, Riise, Hyypia, Paletta, Finnan, El Zhar, Gerrard MBE, Hobbs, Pennant, Crouch, Voronin

Subs - Agger, Babel, Kuyt, Benayoun, Carragher, Darby, Arbeloa, Torres, Mihaylov, Alonso, Sissoko


Werder Bremen:
Wiese, Baumann, Fritz, Rosenberg, Andreason, Alberto, Frings (captain), Borowski, Niemeyer, Schulz, Schindler.

Subs - Bischoff, Vranjes, Loning, Pellatz, Almelda, Jensen, Wome

Betis Ready To Go For Gonzalez

Newly-appointed Real Betis coach Hector Cuper has approved the Spanish club's move for Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez.

Betis narrowly avoided relegation from the Primera Liga last season after finishing in 16th place, and are currently busy rebuilding their squad.

Gonzalez, who previously spent a year on loan with Real Sociedad, is thought to be close to finalising his transfer, along with Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo and Argentina striker Mariano Pavone, after failing to establish himself at Anfield.

"We will do everything possible to create a team that is strong but that also has a winning mentality," said Cuper, who was confirmed at Betis on Monday after signing a one-year contract.

"The important thing is that this team has a strong personality.

"They (the club's prospective new signings) are all very good players. Ricardo has a great mentality, Pavone has played well for two years in Argentina and Gonzalez can improve a lot."

Personal comment: Frankly speaking, I do not understand why Benitez would want to sell of Gonzalez. I do admit that the Chilean is finding it tough to adapt in England but then he's on 22 or 23....still plenty of time for him to prove his worth. Maybe it would be better if Gonzalez is loaned out to other Premier League clubs instead of selling him off.

Mancini Interest Is Over

Rafael Benitez today revealed Liverpool’s interest in Roma winger Alessandro Mancini is over, despite claims of a fresh bid from the player’s agent.

Liverpool did show an interest in the Brazilian earlier in the summer, but Benitez opted to sign Ryan Babel instead.

Now, with Mancini negotiating a new deal with the Italian side, his representative is claiming Benitez is still pursuing the 27-year-old.

But Benitez said today: “I was reading stories about Mancini. I can say that Liverpool will not be offering any money for this player.”

There are suspicions the player’s agent is using the Reds to improve terms at the Olympic Stadium.

Benitez and his 25-man squad arrived in Switzerland yesterday.

Youngster Jack Hobbs and Stephen Darby are among those included in the party, as well as all the recent recruits.

Fabio Aurelio is also with the squad and training again, although Benitez says he won’t be able to play for a month as he nears recovery from a ruptured Achilles.

Scott Carson, who enjoyed extra time off due to the Under-21 European Championships, is also back in training.

The manager hopes the documents to allow both Lucas Leiva and Sebastian Leto to feature in the pre-season games will arrive during the course of the week.

The Reds play their first Swiss game against Werder Bremen tomorrow.

My Say: I never thought that Mancini would be good enough to challenge Ryan Babel or Jermaine Pennant for a regular starting place in the Liverpool squad. Should Benitez is interested to look for pacy, nippy winger, look no further than Aiden McGeady who currently plays for Celtic in Scotland.

Liverpool Eye Chiellini Swoop

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini could be on his way to Liverpool after stating that the Bianconeri have neglected him.

The former Italy Under-21 captain claims that he is worried about his future in Serie A and is waiting for club officials to clarify their plans.

“No one has called me or tried to contact me,” he revealed. “They have focused on renewing the contracts of the important players and this is logical.

“However, they haven’t considered the players who gave their all to bring the team back to the First Division. I believe I might risk playing only 30 per cent of next year’s matches and I cannot agree to this.

“I have plenty of opportunities, but I only hope someone will call me to explain what the plan is. Unfortunately no one has done this so far.”

Reports in Italy suggest that Liverpool have offered £5m for the defender, although it is understood that the Old Lady value him at £7m.

The Premiership club is focusing on Chiellini after the deal to bring Manchester United left-back Gabriel Heinze – a former Juventus target – to Anfield stalled.

My personal comment: This left back is highly rated....although some of you might not heard of him before, I actually found him when I was playing Championship Manager 2007. Definately a good investment for the longer term.

Crewe 0 - 3 LiverpooL

Rafael Benitez was full of praise for new boy Andriy Voronin after the striker's impressive debut in the 3-0 friendly win at Crewe.

Voronin carved out game's opening goal for youngster Lee Peltier (21) during an impressive 45 minutes on the field.

Peter Crouch (24) added a second three minutes later when he turned in John Arne Riise's cross.

And Youth Cup hero Ray Putterill added the Reds' third after 58 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box.

"We know that Voronin is going to be another option for us," Benitez told the club's website. "He has good game intelligence, he plays well between the lines and he has a lot of quality.

"He played well today in what was a good game for us. We used 22 players and I saw a lot of good things on the field.

"Two of the young lads scored as well which is good for them. They need to be involved in these kind of games to show what they can do."