Rafa: I've Spoken To Sissoko About Switching

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has spoken out about recent transfer speculation, not least that surrounding Momo Sissoko.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez denies that Momo Sissoko's transfer talk has soured relations between player and manager.

Rumour had it that the two were not on speaking terms after a difficult season and talk of a move, but Benitez insists that this is not the case.

"I was talking with Momo about leaving a few times, and with his agent,” he told LiverpoolFC.tv.

“We know we have two or three clubs asking about him and we will try to find the best solution for him and for us.

"It depends on if we find the right club and the right offer. We need to wait.

"In a top side the competition is always really hard. We've brought in Lucas [Leiva] and with [Steven] Gerrard playing in the middle this year, plus [Xabi] Alonso and [Javier] Mascherano, he is under pressure.

"But he wants to play every game. We will try to find a solution for him because he is a nice boy."

Benitez went on to add that Sissoko's probable departure did not mean that a new face was to arrive with the proceeds of any move.

"We are happy with the squad," he insisted.

"We needed another centre-back but in the other positions we have enough players.

"Mascherano? We will continue to keep working and we are confident he will stay with us."

EPL Preview: Middlesborough vs. LiverpooL

Liverpool travel to Middlesbrough seeking to prove their Premiership critics wrong.

These are not Liverpool Football Club’s finest hours.

As if the rumours of ongoing tensions between manager and owners and the worries over the club’s finances were not enough, the Reds are now stuttering on the pitch as well.

Two games into 2008 and Liverpool can boast nothing more a pair of 1-1 draws against Wigan Athletic and Luton Town.

As per usual, Rafael Benítez has copped most of the flak. But against Wigan at Anfield a week-and-a-half ago the Spaniard arguably picked (injuries permitting) his strongest side.

The foreign favourites (Torres, Alonso, Kewell, Mascherano) and the home-grown heroes (Gerrard, Carragher) were all there – they just didn’t perform.

Gerrard in particular was a major culprit in that match, repeatedly failing to stick to his appointed position higher up the pitch, thus allowing Wigan the room to stride forward. And it was the captain’s hashed clearance that permitted Titus Bramble to drill in the Latics’ equaliser.

Not that Liverpool performed any better minus their leader at Luton, mind. Two years ago, against the same team at the same ground in the same round of the FA Cup, a supposedly less talented Liverpool selection saw off a Luton Town side undoubtedly better than that seen on Sunday 5-3.

True, the Reds weathered an almighty scare that day to eventually emerge triumphant, but the fact remains that they took the game to their opponents in 2006 and punished them when it mattered. Sunday’s poor effort didn’t come close to replicating the feat. Lacking both creativity and conviction, Liverpool meekly surrendered a lead they had obtained against the run of play.

They may win the rematch, but unless things improve anyone rational would back against the Reds replicating their FA Cup trophy success of 2006. With a game in hand but a gigantic 12 point deficit on league leaders Arsenal, this season’s much-heralded genuine title challenge also appears somewhat of a fallacy. Liverpool have never enjoyed games at Middlesbrough, but now would be a fine time to rediscover the winning habit.

Middlesbrough are a strange team. Great results like an away win at Portsmouth (neither Liverpool nor Manchester United could win at Fratton Park) and that superb 2-1 victory over league leaders Arsenal have been interspersed with a sorry 3-0 thrashing at Birmingham and comprehensive 2-0 loss at home to Everton.

Depending on which Middlesbrough and which Liverpool turn up, the outcome of this game could vary immensely. Liverpool may be favourites, but Boro have stopped the Reds from scoring in all of their last five trips to the Riverside. “Liverpool are a class side and it is always a big occasion when they come and play you,” said Boro boss Gareth Southgate.

Nevertheless, he knows his team need to pick up results in front of their own fans soon having notched just one win in their last seven. "Our home form hasn't been as good as it could have been so we've got to make this place an intimidating place to come to again,” he stressed.

But things aren’t all bad for Boro, and they defied many pundits by not falling victim to an FA Cup upset at Bristol City last weekend. “We have had three wins in six games, which would have been a decent record if we'd had a few draws as well,” added Southgate.



FORM GUIDE

Boro

Match Result Date Championship
Bristol City - Middlesbrough 1 - 2 05/01/2008 FA CUP
Middlesbrough - Everton 0 - 2 01/01/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Portsmouth - Middlesbrough 0 - 1 29/12/2007 PREMIER LEAGUE
Birmingham - Middlesbrough 3 - 0 26/12/2007 PREMIER LEAGUE
Middlesbrough - West Ham 1 - 2 22/12/2007 PREMIER LEAGUE
Derby - Middlesbrough 0 - 1 15/12/2007 PREMIER LEAGUE




Liverpool

Match Result Date Championship
Luton - Liverpool 1 - 1 06/01/2008 FA CUP
Liverpool - Wigan Athletic 1 - 1 02/01/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Manchester City - Liverpool 0 - 0 30/12/2007 PREMIER LEAGUE
Derby - Liverpool 1 - 2 26/12/2007 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool - Portsmouth 4 - 1 22/12/2007 PREMIER LEAGUE
Chelsea - Liverpool 2 - 0 19/12/2007 CARLING CUP




TEAM NEWS

Boro

Lee Cattermole and Julio Arca are both suspended, leaving Gareth Southgate with a few decisions to make in midfield. George Boateng has settled his differences with the boss and should play, Gary O’Neil may also earn a recall, but Woodgate (hamstring) and Tuncay (knee) are unlikely to figure. Wheather, who got the winner against Bristol City last weekend, should start in central defence

Likely XI (4-4-2): Schwarzer – Young, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz – O’Neil, Rochemback, Boateng, Downing – Hutchinson, Lee

Liverpool

Liverpool have an unusual wealth of central defensive options for this game: Daniel Agger is finally ready to return from his foot injury while Martin Skrtel completed his move from Zenit St. Petersburg on Friday. Reina, Arbeloa, Gerrard and Torres were all rested against Luton last weekend and should all start. It’s more or less a full squad available to Benítez, the exception being the Juventus-bound Mohamed Sissoko.

Likely XI (4-4-2): Reina – Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa – Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell – Torres, Voronin



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Boro – Mark Schwarzer

The Aussie goalkeeper often sums up Middlesbrough as a whole, alternating between brilliance and blunders. Liverpool will undoubtedly create chances in this game, so Schwarzer will need to be on top form to maintain Boro’s run of Riverside clean sheets against the Reds.

Liverpool – Steven Gerrard

After finally regaining form and enjoying a rich scoring spell, Gerrard hasn’t been quite the same against Christmas. The skipper will have to show both tenacity and vision to break through Middlesbrough’s stubborn defensive line on Saturday. With a great performance Gerrard can often drag along the rest of his team in a game they desperately need to win.

Skrtel: Rafa's The Reason I Signed

Martin Skrtel admits the impression left on him by Rafa Benitez was key to him spurning offers from other Premier League clubs.

The Slovak trained with his new teammates for the first time on Friday morning before Liverpoolfc.tv was granted the first interview.

Skrtel - who was reportedly a target for Everton, Spurs and Valencia - told us his new boss made quite an impression during negotiations between the Reds and former club Zenit St Petersburg.

"The manager wanted me to come here which was important for me," said the 23-year-old. "I found him to be a nice man and Rafa was a big influence on me coming to Liverpool.

"I am looking forward to my first game at Anfield and playing in front of the Liverpool supporters. I can't wait. I have been to Anfield and it is beautiful. I can't wait to see it when it is full of fans."

The Russian Premier League is currently in the middle of a winter break, meaning Skrtel is not fit enough to play any part in this weekend's clash with Middlesbrough.

It may take the new boy 10 days to find match fitness, but with three established centre-backs already at the club, he knows he may have to be patient.

He said: "Obviously I was aware about the competition for places. Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger are players with immense quality.

"I will do my best to get into the team as soon as possible. For any team to have competition in all positions is good and I will work as hard as possible to challenge for a place. Rafa hasn't said too much to me about my place just yet."

Skrtel has already had a taste of playing with Premier League players having pitted his wits against Andy Johnson and Everton in the UEFA Cup earlier this season.

Never, though, has he played alongside players of the quality of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres – until this morning, that is.

He admits his first training session was a nerve-wracking experience.

"I had my first training session with the team today and the lads all welcomed me to the club. I was a bit nervous because they are huge stars but once training started I was okay."

As well as getting used to new surroundings here on Merseyside, Skrtel will embark on a crash course in English. Not that he'll need as many lessons as some who arrive at Melwood.

He explained: "The coach at Zenit, Dick Advocaat, spoke English to the players, so I already know many of the football phrases - that should help."

Skrtel admits he owes Advocaat a debt of gratitude, not only for the English lessons, but for allowing him to complete a dream move to the Premier League.

"The past few days have been full of anxiety and wait but I'm glad it's all sorted now and I am finally a Liverpool player," he said.

"I would like to say a big 'Thank you' to Zenit St Petersburg for allowing me to come to Liverpool. I was under contract at Zenit and they helped me with this move.

"When I played against Everton it showed me why I always wanted to play in the English league. I am very happy to be here."

The player also revealed the move to Liverpool means he will have to give up his other favourite pastime, hockey.

"As a child I played a lot of hockey. When I was at Zenit we had a winter break and the manager let me play hockey then. Now I'm here at Liverpool I won't be able to do that anymore more."

Benitez Insists He Is The Man To Lead Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez pointedly talked about his and the club's long-term future at the end of a week which has seen his longevity at Anfield called into question.

All the speculation that Jurgen Klinsmann was being lined up to replace Benitez was swept away today by the news the former Germany coach will take over at Bayern Munich in the summer.

And the Reds boss chief was in relaxed mood as he spoke about his new signing - £6.5million defender Martin Skrtel - and the departure of Sam Allardyce from Newcastle.

The Spaniard consistently underlined his good working relationship with American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett by emphasising his and the club's long-term planning.

"The owners have allowed me to spend and people should realise that," said Benitez.

"Maybe because everyone seemed to be focusing on me they did not see that we have all been working together, the owners and me, to improve the squad for the future.

"It is important to realise that we were all trying to do the right things for our club and in this case it was to sign a young player for the future.

"There have been headlines (about Klinsmann) but my aim is to focus on my team and work with my squad to win games. I have been busy but now I think some people have been pointing in the wrong direction."

The 23-year-old Skrtel, signed from Zenit St Petersburg, is unlikely to be involved in tomorrow's match at Middlesbrough but could be given a debut on Tuesday at Anfield for the FA Cup third round replay against Luton.

Fellow centre-back Daniel Agger may have finally returned to the squad after four months out with a broken metatarsal but Benitez explained there was still a desperate need for defensive re-enforcement.

"We needed a new centre-back - a necessity - with the injuries we have had. The aim, though, was to bring in a young player to build for the future," said the manager.

"He is just 23 and we have a lot of young players here now who will be very good for our future as well as important to boost the squad.

"He has a good mentality and he is very strong but I will not put him under pressure, everyone needs time to settle.

"Agger needed six months and he is now a fantastic player, Martin will be used carefully and not rushed."

But after a week which began with claims - since forcibly denied by the Spaniard - Benitez privately expected to be sacked in the summer he was determined to emphasise the healthy relationship he maintains with the owners.

"After the meeting (in December) I had with the owners everything was much better," said the former Valencia coach, who had a public disagreement with the Americans in November over transfer plans.

"We have been talking almost every day and we have continued with the plan and that is to bring in young players who will be good for the future.

"The squad has young players who will improve each year and gain experience. It shows we have a good relationship with the owners.

"And after the meeting this week (in New York) between the owners and (chief executive) Rick Parry we have signed a new player almost straight away - that is very, very positive."

Benitez ruled out any further significant spending unless he gets a large fee for midfielder Mohamed Sissoko, who believes he is on the brink of a £10million move to Juventus.

"We have had some clubs asking about Sissoko and we will find the right solution," said the Spaniard.

"If we get the right club and right offer we will be able to progress.

"In a top side there is always tough competition. We have Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and then we bought in Lucas Leiva so Momo was under pressure.

"We are happy now with the squad. We have good competition in all the other positions and I feel we only needed a deal for a centre-back."

Benitez even found time to offer sympathy to Allardyce, an opposite number with whom he has had a number of run-ins when he was Bolton boss.

"I do not expect things to be done like that in England," said Benitez.

"People who take decisions must understand that if you want to improve something then it takes time.

"It is happening like this more often and people start saying it is normal with the pressure and the money involved but I believe it a big mistake.

"How long did it take Alex Ferguson to win the title, seven years. If the board had changed their manager then Manchester United would not be where they are now.

"That is a good example to explain why it is wrong to act so quickly."

Rafael BenÍtez Sees End To Threat From One Potential Successor

There is a deafening silence from the Liverpool owners on Rafael Benítez’s future, a situation that the manager admitted yesterday he can’t control, but at least he is rid of the spectre of Jürgen Klinsmann, who has agreed to take over as Bayern Munich coach in July.

Rumours had been rife throughout the football community about contact between Liverpool and the German — who is said to have links to George Gillett Jr, one of the club’s co-owners — and there were reports last night that Klinsmann was offered the manager’s job at Anfield before deciding to join Bayern, where he takes over from Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Benítez had been considered by Bayern for that position — as had José Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager — but his preference has always been to stay at Liverpool. However, his long-term future at Anfield looks bleak unless he can somehow repair a damaged relationship with the club’s board.

He must establish a better working relationship not only with the owners, but with Rick Parry, the chief executive, who is to liaise ever more closely with the manager in a revised structure that will result in Gillett and Tom Hicks appointing another senior executive to oversee other projects, most notably the club’s proposed new stadium in Stanley Park.

Despite invitations to do so, Hicks and Gillett have offered nothing approaching a vote of confidence in Benítez since he antagonised them in a damaging dispute over transfer policy. But Benítez, who completed a £6.5 million deal to sign Martin Skrtel, the Slovakia defender, from Zenit St Petersburg yesterday, believes that the only way to win their backing is to keep his head down and win matches, starting away to Middlesbrough this afternoon.

“If I can prepare the team properly for Middlesbrough and Luton [in an FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday] and we keep winning each week, it will be easier to find an answer to these questions,” he said.

We're Still In It, Insists Carragher

Though disappointed with their current points deficit in the league, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insists there is still hope for their title ambitions yet.

Liverpool fans were hoping that this season would provide their breakthrough in challenging for the league title.

The Merseyside giants have never won the Premiership since its inception well over a decade ago, and as the club with the best league record in England, the fans are eager to return to their former glories.

Vice-captain and fan favourite Jamie Carragher spoke to Sky Sports revealing his feelings on the Reds' predicament.

"Obviously it's disappointing to fall away a bit in the league but we're still only half way through," said Carragher.

"There's still a long way to go. Obviously we're outsiders now but we still want to make a challenge. The season's still well alive.

"It'll be difficult, I'm not kidding anyone. It's not just the points but that there is three other teams above us at the moment.

"There's no point throwing the towel in, just keep going and try and win the next game. By the time there are eight to ten games left we might have pulled half of that back.

"It might be down to five or six points and you might be back in it then."

"We met him at Melwood, hopefully he'll do well for the club," he concluded.

Rafa Benitez's side are poised to sign Martin Skrtel from Zenit, and Carragher welcomes the idea of the new recruit.

"It's probably something that's been needed this season, another central defender, and now he's come in," said Carragher.

"I think we missed out on (Gabriel) Heinze and obviously we've had to wait now until the January transfer window. But the club have got him in and hopefully he'll be a success."

Daniel Agger's Comeback Delayed

Defender Daniel Agger's hopes of making a dramatic return to Liverpool's side at the weekend were almost certainly dashed when the weather postponed his comeback in the reserves on Thursday night.

The Denmark centre-back was scheduled to play Blackburn at Morecambe's Christie Park ground but a waterlogged pitch prevented the match going ahead and manager Rafael Benitez is unlikely to pick the player into Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough with him having no action for four months because of a broken foot.

Benitez, after another taxing week when his position has again been in question, needs to get Liverpool back on track quickly and will now probably stick with veteran Sami Hyypia at the Riverside.

The Finn made his comeback from injury in Sunday's FA Cup third round draw at Luton, where he looked rusty and short of pace.

Now Benitez must decide whether to stick with Hyypia or revert to Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa and Brazilian fellow full-back Fabio Aurelio, along with captain Steven Gerrard, were both ruled out at Kenilworth Road due to injury.

All three have been battling for fitness this week but striker Fernando Torres, rested at Luton, is expected to return at the Riverside, along with Javier Mascherano and Jose Reina.

Agger, who must wait until January 22 for the next reserve fixture, will no doubt try to impress Benitez in training and prove that despite not playing since September he is worth the risk of being selected without playing in a warm-up match.

"I am almost there but of course I am going to need some playing time," said the Dane.

"Running around on the training ground is not the same as doing it on the pitch but I am almost back to full fitness now.

"I am very much looking forward to getting back. It is not fun being on the sidelines, especially at a club like this.

"There is massive competition for places and it is all about giving your absolute best every time you play.

"It goes without saying that it is hard to do that when you are out, and being out for four months over such a small bone in my foot has been very frustrating."

Liverpool Confirm Martin Skrtel Signing

Zenit St Petersburg's Slovakian international defender Martin Skrtel has signed for Liverpool on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

The 23-year-old centre-half, who has won 15 caps for his country, is believed to have cost the Merseyside club approximately £6.5 million.

Skrtel's new manager Rafael Benitez has high hopes for the Slovakian.

Benitez said: "I think he is a player maybe not many people know about but he played against Everton for Zenit St Petersberg, and he is a centre half that knows the English style.

"He is aggressive, quick, is good in the air and I think he's a very good player for the future and also for the present.

"He is very competitive, but his mentality for me is very good. Watching him in some games his mentality is similar to Jamie Carragher so I think it's very positive for the team.

"Our scouts first knew of him when he was playing for Slovakia and we have been monitoring him since the start of the season.

"We saw him play against Everton in the UEFA Cup match at Goodison and during the last few months we have been checking him closely.

"I don't think he will be ready for Middlesbrough because the Russian league season ended more than a month ago and the last competitive game Martin played was in the UEFA Cup in December.

"He has been training but I don't think that will be enough. He needs to get to know his team-mates and the league but I will look at him in training because he has a very good physical condition."

Liverpool's 10 Most Wanted

The Reds couldn't get him from Man United in the summer but Gabriel Heinze – now of Real Madrid – is the player fans would most like to see at Anfield. David Villa, Dimitar Berbatov and David Bentley are also high on the wish list.

A few weeks ago Liverpool fans were asked to name their "Most Wanted" transfer targets. The response was huge, to say the least with thousands taking part in the discussion.

And after the survey people got hold of the information the list was finally completed. So here, in reverse order, are the players chosen by the Liverpool fans:

10) Matt Taylor (Portsmouth)
9) Nicolas Anelka (Bolton Wanderers)
8) Kaka Kaladze (AC Milan)
7) Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers)
6) David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)
5) Dimitar Berbatov (Spurs)
4) Micah Richards (Man City)
3) David Villa (Valencia)
2) Ricardo Quaresma (Porto)
1) Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid)


What do you think of the players selected? Anyone missing? Anyone on the list who you think shouldn't be?

Koeman Confirms Interest In Sissoko

Ronald Koeman has confirmed that he is in the running to challenge Juventus and take Mohamed Sissoko back to Valencia from Liverpool to bolster his midfield.

The Dutch coach believes that the 22-year-old Mali international is the perfect player to step into the defensive midfield position as he bids to change the fortunes at Mestalla.

Juve looked to be favourites to land Sissoko, but a return to Spain may tempt the player that has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield this season.

”We know the deal is complicated but it is not complete,” said Koeman. “He has all the characteristics of the player we need.”

Valencia are looking for a new player to add strength to the midfield after David Albelda was told that he was no longer wanted at the club.

Sissoko made 45 appearances for Los Ché in a two-year stint at the club after he joined them in 2003 from his first professional side, Auxerre.

In his first season at Mestalla, he helped the club to win the Spanish title, the UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup.

A successful switch to Liverpool then saw him enjoy success in the European Super Cup, again, the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

Liverpool In No Rush Over Stadium Plan

Liverpool have delayed a decision on the designs for their new stadium as American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jnr try to thrash out a refinancing deal for the club.

Following presentations from two firms of architects which ran late into the evening at a board meeting in New York on Tuesday, Liverpool were due to make an announcement on their revised plans for the move to their new home at Stanley Park last night.

But chief executive Rick Parry issued a statement yesterday saying that while good progress had been made, a final decision had been put off.

He insisted, however, that whichever design was chosen, the club would be getting an "excellent result".

Parry said: "It was a very full day. We had two very detailed and very informative presentations which were very thorough and extremely professional. It has been another big step forward to finding the best possible solution and the whole meeting was very constructive."

Hicks and Gillett ordered the review of the stadium plans after Dallas-based architects HKS overshot the budget for the new 70,000-seat arena by £50 million.

The American owners then asked them to scale down their plans at the same time as asking Manchester firm AFL to come up with their own designs. "A clear decision will be taken soon," said Parry. "They were both very good in terms of coming closer to the right solution."

The reality for Hicks and Gillett is that they cannot choose a final stadium design until they have a clearer picture of how they are to finance that, plus £270 million of loans taken out last February to pay for their acquisition of the club.

Talks are ongoing with the Royal Bank of Scotland and American bank Wachovia about a new £350 million refinancing but have stalled after concerns over the amount of debt being placed on the club's books. There have also been question marks over the amount of cash being pumped into the refinancing by Hicks and Gillett.

Since the new year, the Americans have become more confident of clinching a deal before the one-year loan with RBS expires. One option being discussed by the banks is to lend money to the club to fund the start of work on the stadium project at the same time as offering Hicks and Gillett breathing space to raise new investment to help refinance the club acquisition.

Although the future of manager Rafael Benitez is certain to have been on the agenda during the meeting in New York, there was no comment from the club on the Spaniard yesterday.

On Tuesday he repeated his determination to stay at Liverpool, distancing himself from reports last weekend which suggested he expected to be fired in the summer.

Returning Agger Set For Reserves Outing

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez revealed that defender Daniel Agger is “very close” to returning to first-team action.

The stylish left-footed central defender has been crocked since September with a broken metatarsal, but he will be well on the road to regaining his first-team responsibilities after a reserve-team outing on Thursday.

Benitez, the subject of increased press speculation over his job, expressed his relief that Agger will be available for selection soon, and also stated that the Danish international’s return would spark an overall improvement for the club in the second half of the season.

"For us it's like signing a new player. He is very close to starting a game for the first team," he said on the club's official website.

The Spaniard insisted the medical team take their time with Agger’s recuperation after seeing fellow metatarsal-injured-absentee Xabi Alonso suffer continuous setbacks in his attempted return to action.

"The injury he had wasn't a bad one but we had problems also with Xabi Alonso, so we needed to be careful and we have missed him.

"We will be much better in the second part of this season."

Arbeloa: I Look Up To Finnan

Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa says he considers fellow defender Steve Finnan a friend and role model rather than a right-back rival.

Alvaro Arbeloa moved to Liverpool from Spanish side Deportivo in January last year.

Speaking 12 months into his Anfield career, the defender highlighted just how much he's learned from fellow Reds full-back Steve Finnan.

The Spaniard has become a regular fixture in Liverpool's starting XI, largely because of his versatility.

But while he's happy to fill in at left-back or centre-back for Rafa Benítez' side, he stressed that the right side of defence will always be his preferred option.

Nonetheless, when you're competing against an experienced professional like Steve Finnan you have to take games as and when you can.

"Finnan is unbelievable," the 24-year-old Arbeloa told LFC Magazine. "He never plays badly. He is a good player who always plays really well. He is a great example for someone like me. I am learning a lot about the game from him.

"Not only is he a fantastic player but I also count him as a good mate," Arbeloa continued. "It is a challenge for me to play on the right side of the defence because Finn is such a good player. Just watching and working with him in training every day can only improve my game in the long run.

"Finn still has some good years left in him," added the Spaniard. "At 24-years-old it is a good opportunity for me to be able to learn from someone like him and who knows what will happen in the future? It would be great if I can stay here for another eight years or so, though.

"It would be nice to have my own position one day," commented Arbeloa when asked if he could make the right-back spot his own. "But if you can play in three or four positions it is better for the team, the boss and for me. Sometimes players get injured or the boss has another idea for a certain game. I can play on the right or the left, but the most important thing is that I play well when or whenever I am in the team."

Liverpool Poised For New Cash Injection

A millionaire Liverpool fan looks set to help the club out of its current cash crisis.

Northern Irishman John Miskelly, a lifelong Liverpool fan, is reported to have held talks concerning a fresh cash injection into the Anfield side.

Miskelly has amassed a vast fortune from his dealings in property and even launched a £250m takeover for Liverpool last year, only to be beaten to the prize by American duo Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

However, neither of the Reds owners have yet succeeded in putting together a £300m refinancing package on the original loan used to buy the club.

The current global credit crunch and the spiralling interest repayments have put plans for a new luxury stadium at Stanley Park very much on hold.

With banks refusing to bail out the American pair, they have turned to alternative sources of investment, which The Mirror claims is Miskelly. It is not yet known exactly what or how much money any deal with the Ulsterman would involve.

Sissoko: Juve Transfer Close To Completion

Juventus are close to completing the signing of Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko, the player himself has admitted.

It has been no secret that the main objective of the Bianconeri’s January transfer campaign has been to find a new centre-midfielder.

This led to links with a host of top names, including Rafael Van der Vaart, Diego and Javier Mascherano.

However it now seems virtually certain that it will be Mascherano’s Liverpool team-mate Momo Sissoko who will be moving to the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

“The negotiations with Juve are close to conclusion,” Sissoko told RMC.

“I am waiting for news in the coming days and while nothing has been signed yet, I can confirm that there are advanced negotiations between the Bianconeri and my agents.

“Certainly I would be excited to go to Turin. It is a prestigious club, it would be a new challenge and I could demonstrate my quality.”

The cost of the transfer is believed to be around €15m, which will leave Juve €5m remaining of their €20m January transfer budget.

Benítez Begs For More Time As Owners Discuss The Future

Rafael Benítez has made an impassioned plea to Liverpool's American owners to allow him to continue as manager, despite their reservations about the team's progress. George Gillett and Tom Hicks were having talks last night with the chief executive Rick Parry amid growing speculation that Benítez does not figure in their plans beyond the end of the season, but the man who brought the European Cup back to Anfield insists he wants to stay.

"I don't know how many times I have to say this before certain people believe me," said an exasperated Benítez. "But I will say it again because it is really important that everyone understands this - I love the club, I love the fans, I love the city and I am very, very happy here. I do not see my future at Real Madrid or Inter Milan or anywhere else. I see my future at Liverpool and this is where I want to stay."

Benítez could hardly have been more unequivocal as he waited to hear the outcome of Parry's discussions with Gillett and Hicks in the United States. The official line from Anfield was that Benítez's future was not on the agenda, but the Spaniard is entitled to be worried given his precarious relationship with the Americans and reports that Jürgen Klinsmann is to be sounded out about replacing him.

It has not helped Benítez that an off-the-record conversation with a number of Sunday newspaper journalists led to reports at the weekend that he feared he could be sacked. "I was shocked when I was told about the stories in the Sunday papers," he said. "To see my name linked with other clubs in such a manner really disappoints me. And the fact that the newspapers said that the stories had come from 'a source close to me' is what disappoints me most.

"All I can say is, no such quotes came from me and I know my friends well enough to know that they did not come from them. So I can only assume that the conversation I had with the journalists from the Sunday newspapers meant something different to them than me."

Benítez has completed the £6.5m signing of the centre-back Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg and turned down an inquiry from Fulham for Sami Hyypia, "The squad is the best it has been since I first came here and we have many young players who are going to get only better," he said, "so I have no wish to be at any other club. I want to be here this summer and many other summers after that."

Aurelio Hit By Injury Blow

Liverpool fullback Fabio Aurelio has been hit with another injury setback just when he was coming into a purple patch of form for the Reds.

Aurelio has shown some of the best form of his short Liverpool career in recent games but, much like last season, injury has struck to break his rhythm.

The Brazilian was ruled out of the weekend's FA Cup draw with Luton and has admitted he will not be available for the next league match away to Middlesbrough.

"It's a pity I've had to stop again because I was feeling good," he told the club's website.

"It's normal after a long injury to pick up little problems when you come back but hopefully I will only miss the one league game and be back for the Aston Villa match next week.

"I've spent a lot of time out and it's very difficult to explain how frustrating it has been. My wife probably knows better than me because she has seen what I've been like.

"I've not been capable of training or doing my job. It's been a difficult time but you just have to keep working. It's a dream for me to play without problems."

Although Aurelio will be missing for the trip to Teeside, he has acknowledged that three points are vital if the Reds are to keep their title chances alive.

"I think we've been frustrated with the last couple of league games because we were better than Man City and we should have beaten Wigan," he added.

"If we want to fight for the title then we have to be winning games."

Rafael Benitez Proves A Hot Topic In New York

Rafael BenÍtez was close to securing a £6.5 million deal to sign Martin Skrtel, the Zenit St Petersburg defender, last night, but his long-term prospects as Liverpool manager appear bleaker than ever before a critical board meeting in New York today.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, Liverpool’s American owners, will meet Rick Parry, the chief executive, in a meeting that was ostensibly called to discuss plans and ways to finance the club’s proposed new stadium in Stanley Park. The future of BenÍtez is not officially on the agenda, but it is certain to be discussed, with sources indicating last night that the relationship between manager and board is more strained than ever and that a parting of the ways is only a matter of time.

Barring a dramatic development at today’s meeting, BenÍtez is expected to stay in charge for the remainder of the season, but he is increasingly aware that his days at Liverpool are numbered. Even if the signing of Skrtel, the Slovakia defender, would appear to represent a vote of confidence in the manager, BenÍtez has little doubt that Hicks and Gillett are plotting to replace him, with rumours in the football community - although not yet from within Anfield – continuing to link Jürgen Klinsmann, the former Germany coach, with Merseyside.

It is not clear whether Liverpool have a serious interest in Klinsmann or if the 43-year-old would be prepared to turn his back on his life in California, where he works as vice-president for Soccer Solutions, a consultancy firm, but there have been indications from Germany that he is eager to return to management in Europe.

Beyond the issue of BenÍtez’s future, Hicks and Gillett, whose working relationship has run far from smoothly, are under serious pressure to refinance the £270 million loan that they used to buy the club last February. The loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland expires next month and a new refinancing deal is imperative if the Americans are to have any hope of delivering the new stadium that they promised at the time of their takeover.

Luton Town are investigating claims that Jamie Carragher, the Liverpool defender, was involved in an angry confrontation with home supporters at the FA Cup third-round tie between the clubs at Kenilworth Road on Sunday. Carragher, the former England defender, is alleged to have responded to taunts from fans as he warmed down after the match by scaling a barrier and shouting obscenities at the occupants of an executive box.

Dimitar Berbatov - So Nearly A Liverpool Player

Should Dimitar Berbatov leave Spurs for an enormous fee during the January transfer window it will leave many at Anfield regretting what might have been.

In the autumn and winter of 2004, Liverpool were scouring Europe for a top class centre forward and Berbatov, then of Bayer Leverkusen, was high on their wanted list.

Leverkusen were willing to do business at the right price and the player himself was believed to have been keen on a move to Anfield.

That was until fate intervened and Liverpool were drawn against Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Any hopes of a deal being done were dashed as the German outfit decided they could not sell one of their main assets to a team they would be facing the following month and Liverpool ended up signing Fernando Morientes.

Talk about the luck of the draw.

Defender Skrtel Passes Anfield Medical

Slovak defender Martin Skrtel looks set to become Liverpool's latest signing after he passed a medical at Anfield.

Liverpool appear set to clinch a deal for Zenit St. Petersburg's Martin Skrtel after he completed a medical today.

The Slovakian international will set the Merseysiders back £6.5m, providing American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillet give their seal of approval at a meeting with chief executive Rick Parry today.

Personal terms have already been agreed with the club, and should the deal go through it would make Skrtel the most expensive defender in Liverpool's history.

Liverpool have been chasing a new centre-back for some time, and after their pursuit of Gabriel Heinze was knocked back by Manchester United and Gabriel Palletta was sent packing back to Argentina they've clearly had limited options in that position.

Daniel Agger's long-term injury has forced boss Rafael Benítez to rely almost exclusively on Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia this season, but the 6ft 4in Skrtel - tipped as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe - should add extra cover.

The Slovak has been capped 15 times at international level and recently won the Russian Premier League with Zenit in November this year as the side became only the second non-Moscow club to lift the title in the post-Soviet era.