Torres Reveals Rafa's English Rule

Liverpool's Fernando Torres has revealed that manager Rafael Benitez does not let players communicate in any language other than English, despite a large Spanish contingent at the club.

Torres and Benitez - Spaniards themselves - communicate in English at all times, as does everyone else in the Liverpool dressing room.

It is most likely a tactic employed not only to help foreigners learn the language, but to also create an environment where nobody feels alienated.

"There are 12 Spanish speakers but we try not to talk in Spanish because if he catches us, Rafa fines us," revealed Torres.

"He always speaks in English to the Spanish, except when there's something you don't understand. At the start it was difficult. But with every day, I'm getting to know the language and the city better."

Torres signed for Liverpool from Atletico Madrid on July 4, 2007 in a deal breaking the £20 million barrier.

Tom Hicks Admits To Holding Talks With DIC Over Liverpool FC

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has revealed he held talks with Dubai International Capital - but only about the company becoming a “minor investor” in the club.

DIC rejected the opportunity and Hicks insists that is the end of the matter.

Hicks, and fellow co-owner George Gillett, are now focusing on taking Liverpool forward after completing their £350 million refinancing package.

Of that, £105million will be debt tied to the club - £60million to kick-start the building of a new stadium and £45million for future transfers.

While Hicks said that there was never any intention to sell the club to DIC, he told Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme: “I did talk to them about a 10-15% participation but that was months ago.

“We gave them a valuation as a minority investor but they thought the price was too high. We have had no conversations since then.

“We would have used that capital towards the new stadium but we will find other ways.

“We have the capital. I have put in a lot of money and we will put in more in if need be. I am very excited about the future of the club.

“This will be the finest football stadium in the world. People should be very proud of it and I want to win the support of Liverpool fans with my actions.”

DIC 'Still Intent' On Liverpool Takeover

Dubai International Capital remain intent on a takeover of Liverpool, regardless of their disappointment with the nature of the £350million refinancing deal with which the club's American owners have secured their immediate tenure there.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. announced the new 18-month 'market-rate' loan on Friday, the former describing it as 'a strong vote of confidence in the club's financial strength'. DIC, however, regard it as an expensive holding measure that will cost the club around £28m a year in interest, yet fail to solve Liverpool's requirement for significant new capital.

Underwritten by the Royal Bank of Scotland and US bank Wachovia, the loan provides limited additional resources for a club in need of significant investment in the playing staff and a new stadium expected to cost a further £300m. As Liverpool's total debt stood at £297m before the refinancing package was agreed, it delivers a maximum of £53m of new money. Around £20m is thought to have been used up by the arrangement fee on the new loan.

While concerned club officials insisted that £245m of the debt was placed against Hicks and Gillett's holding company Kop Football Limited, it is understood that interest payments will be made entirely from club income. As such these will swallow up almost all of Liverpool's projected profits for the 2007-08 financial year.

Though the banks required Hicks and Gillett to increase their personal guarantees on the debt to £225m, it is understood that the Americans have not spent any of their own money on the club with the £20m equity each had to inject into the new deal coming in the form of personal loans, repayable by the club to them in the event of a further takeover.

The new 71,000-capacity stadium at Stanley Park will not be realised without another large tranche of debt. Though the stadium design announced on Friday has been downgraded from architects HKS' original proposal, it is still expected to cost a total of £350m. A spokesman for Hicks said that £50m of that sum has already been spent on consultancy and design. Further planning permission is required on the new structure.

DIC consider the refinancing a waste of club money that could have been spent on the team or the stadium and attempted to prevent it by offering to buy the club for £500m last week. Sources at the Arab investment group insist that Hicks and Gillett indicated their intention to sell during takeover talks, but only after the new loan had gone through.

Led by Liverpool supporter Sameer Al Ansari, DIC thought it had agreed a deal to buy Liverpool in late 2006, only for majority shareholder David Moores to sell to Hicks and Gillett. The Americans paid £174.1m for the shares, taking on outstanding debts of £44.8m and undertaking not to borrow any money against the club. On Friday, Kop Football Limited restated that debt at £60m.

Hicks also moved to reassure Rafa Benítez of his 'continuing and enthusiastic support' as manager, after earlier admitting that he had talked with Jurgen Klinsmann about replacing the Spaniard. Benitez has said little about the refinancing, though he suggested his desired £17m full transfer of Javier Mascherano would have to be partially funded by Mohamed Sissoko's proposed sale to Juventus.

Asked last night if Hicks now intended to sell Liverpool, his spokesman said: 'Tom Hicks is not a seller of Liverpool Football Club and he is certainly in it for the long term.' He declined to comment on how interest payments on the £350m would be funded, how much new money would be available to Liverpool, or whether the owners had invested any of their own cash in the club. Gillett, unhappy with some of his partner's recent actions, has yet to comment publicly on the revised plans.

Liverpool 5 - 2 Havant & Waterlooville

Yossi Benayoun scored a 15-minute hat-trick to break the hearts of a remarkable Havant and Waterlooville side who produced a sensational display at Anfield.

Twice the Hampshire non-leaguers were ahead against a shell-shocked Liverpool in this FA Cup fourth round tie.

Richard Pacquette and a Martin Skrtel own goal had Havant fans in dreamland. Lucas and Benayoun clawed Liverpool level before the break, with two more from Benayoun and a last-minute Peter Crouch effort seeing Liverpool home.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez took some of the glamour out of the tie by leaving Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher on the bench.

But the visitors still had to contend with Peter Crouch, Javier Mascherano and Jermaine Pennant, while while new boy Martin Skrtel made his full debut in central defence.

Havant boss Shaun Gale left assistant manager Charlie Oatway on the bench, while Tom Jordan - son of Portsmouth coach and former Manchester United striker Joe - started in front of a crowd which included around 6,000 fans from Hampshire.

Liverpool's fans applauded every single Havant player's name when they were announced, and the non-league club's fans sung happily along with 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Havant were undaunted early on - captain James Collins clattered Mascherano, Rocky Baptiste knocked over Sami Hyypia and Alfie Potter - Harry to his mates - saw a shot deflected wide.

Yossi Benayoun headed Pennant's cross wide, but Havant were intent on making their mark - and in the eighth minute they scored.

Richard Pacquette harassed Skrtel into conceding a corner, and when Mo Harkin planted it into the six-yard box, former QPR player Pacquette headed it powerfully past goalkeeper Charles Itandje.

Liverpool were stunned and while the Kop applauded loudly, the fans of the non-league club erupted.

For a while it was amusing for the home fans to see Liverpool embarrassed, but as the half wore on the Scousers started to lose patience.

John Arne Riise had two efforts blocked, Benayoun shot wide, but the anxiety grew as did Havant's confidence. Their set pieces constantly troubled Liverpool, goalkeeper Itandje was a bag of nerves and the tackles continued to thud in.

And Havant should have scored again after 23 minutes. Itandje twice fumbled as Harkin's free-kick flew wildly around the box and when the French goalkeeper fell over, Shaun Wilkinson hooked over an open goal from 10 yards.

Havant held their lead for 16 minutes of growing panic in Liverpool ranks. After 24 minutes, Ryan Babel laid the ball back to Lucas, and the Brazilian curled a fine goal into the top corner from 25 yards.

But incredibly, Havant were ahead again after half-an-hour. Steve Finnan stumbled over the ball on the right of the box and Potter, on loan from Peterborough, tore onto the ball and fired in a shot that Skrtel deflected wide of his own 'keeper.

Liverpool were a frightened shambles in defence, losing possession in midfield and seemingly incapable of passing the ball effectively.

Havant were magnificent. Organised at the back, they fought for every inch and outperformed their illustrious opponents. Carragher and Torres were soon warming up on the line.

Havant lost Phil Warner with a leg injury after 40 minutes they send on Tony Taggart, exchanging a binman for a plumber at the back.

A minute before the break Liverpool managed to claw themselves level. Pennant's pass set-up Benayoun, who created a yard of space to fire in a right-footer that gave Kevin Scriven no chance.

Havant started the second period deep in defence and they were giving Liverpool too much space.

And on 55 minutes they were punished. Mascherano surged through midfield before freeing Pennant on the right.

When his cross arrived in the box, Benayoun had time to turn and fire into the roof of the net.

Rocky Baptiste, the taxi-driving Liverpool fan, was withdrawn by Havant two minutes later, former Spurs youngster Jamie Slabber taking over.

Two minutes later Benayoun struck again to complete a hat-trick. Babel's shot came back off keeper Scriven and the Israeli was there to fire in the rebound.

After 72 minutes Dirk Kuyt replaced Benayoun and two minutes later Wilkinson went off, with Charlie Oatway taking over.

But the dream was over now for Havant.

Carragher eventually came on in place of Hyypia after 84 minutes, Gerrard following in place of Mascherano two minutes later.

There was still time for Neil Sharp to force a fine save from Itandje, but with a minute left Gerrard set-up Peter Crouch for a tap-in.

LiverpooL FC: Club Face Fresh Battle For Planning Permission

The revised stadium plan announced yesterday by Liverpool FC will require new planning applications, it was confirmed last night.

The club already has permission for HKS’s original 60,000-seater ground on Stanley Park, which was granted in November 2007.

That original stadium design envisaged 60,000 seats, with the option to later expand to 76,000 at a later date.

In January the Government decided not to “call in” those designs for further scrutiny.

However, because of changes to the stadium design – moving the underground car park, shrinking the concourses, and capacity rising to 71,000 – new permissions are needed.

It is understood the club will at first submit a variation to the existing permission, which could allow the work to start on the project within three months.

It would then submit a new application to get consent for the 71,000 seats, requiring an environmental impact study and transport plan.

Voronin Injury Means Liverpool FC Won't Sell Peter Crouch

Peter Crouch’s future at Liverpool seems secure – for now at least – due to Andriy Voronin’s injury.

The England international had been widely tipped to be heading for the Anfield exit door in the near future after slipping down Rafael Benitez’s pecking order.

Crouch has netted 35 times for Liverpool since his £7million move from Southampton two-and-a-half years ago but has started just four Premier League games all season despite Voronin not scoring in his last 11 matches and Dirk Kuyt failing to register in nine games.

However, with Voronin expected to be out for six weeks following confirmation that he needs an ankle operation to repair ligament damage, Benitez will not be prepared to let Crouch go despite the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle United believed to be monitoring his availability.

Ukrainian Voronin, a Bosman free transfer acquisition from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, will certainly miss the first leg of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Internazionale next month.

Spanish full-back Alvaro Arbeloa is also expected to be out for the next three weeks with an abdominal injury while centre-back Daniel Agger is at least another two weeks away from a possible first team return.

Meanwhile, the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield has been put back from 3pm on Saturday, March 29 to 4pm on Sunday, March 30 to accommodate Sky TV coverage.

However, the game will revert back to Saturday (kick-off to be confirmed) in the event that Liverpool are involved in the Champions League on Tuesday, April 1.

Rafa Benitez Looking To Go All he Way In The FA Cup

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants to try to win the FA Cup after admitting that a Premier League title challenge may now be beyond his team.

Blue Square South team Havant & Waterlooville travel up to Anfield for today’s fourth round tie which will be the ultimate David versus Goliath clash.

However, Benitez, who yesterday received the full backing of the club’s US owners, insists that his side will not underestimate their opponents, particularly now that the FA Cup looks like Liverpool’s best chance for silverware this season.

The Spaniard, who will hand new signing Martin Skrtel his first start today, was accused of not taking football’s oldest competition seriously in his first season in England when a weakened Liverpool team crashed out in the third round but he went on to lift the trophy the following year.

With Liverpool now seemingly out of the title race, Benitez has earmarked the FA Cup as a major target.

He said: “For us it’s really important. We want to progress, we want to win this competition if possible.

“We must treat the other team with a lot of respect.

“I think it is very difficult (for Liverpool to win the Premier League this season), you must be realistic.

“I can say things for people who don’t want to lose their hope but I think it is important to know what there are two good teams (Manchester United and Arsenal) at the top of the table now with a lot of points and one behind them (Chelsea) and another one (Everton).

“So we must be realistic and try and win every game and see what the situation is every week, concentrating on all the games but one game at a time.”

Benitez added: “We have three competitions and I don’t want to say that we’re in a bad situation.

“We are in the Champions League, we are in the FA Cup and we are fifth in the table now.

“In the cup competitions you have to progress, in the league it’s simple – try to win the next game, try to be in the top four and after this try to be closer to the third position, then the second position.

“I’ve said before that if you want to score a lot of goals you need to score the first goal.

“If you want to talk about more things you need to be in the top four.

“I think the pressure (to finish in the top four) is more or less the same, every year with a top side you want to win trophies and finish as high possible in the league and progress in all the competitions.”

Liverpool’s title chances were written off earlier this week by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson but Benitez, received some unexpected backing from his opposite number at Old Trafford.

But while the Spaniard was grateful for the support of the Scot who has won the Premier League nine times, he does not go along with his comments that Liverpool will struggle to attract top class players.

He said: “I must say thank you to Sir Alex Ferguson for his support, it’s not normal (you hear these things) so I’m really pleased.

“My personal relationship with him is good.

“In terms of the club I always want to win so to bring top class players here is our target so I think we can do it.”

Argentinian international Javier Mascherano would probably fit into that bracket and Benitez remains confident that he will sign a permanent deal with Liverpool after his loan spell at Anfield expires at the end of the season.

Speculation had mounted that the midfielder could leave the club at the end of the season if the US owners did not fund his transfer but Benitez believes that a deal will be struck with the impending sale of Momo Sissoko helping with the finances.

He said: “The contact I have with the owners has been positive and that means we are progressing with the situations of Sissoko and Mascherano have been positive.

“That’s a normal thing in this period of January.

“The player (Mascherano) wants to stay. When you talk with him it’s the same situation as me. You can feel the support of the fans.

“I think he is really happy here as he feels that support.”

Meanwhile, Benitez confirmed that Charles Itandje will play in goal and Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are all in the squad although the influential trio are expected to start on the bench.

Liverpool Weigh Up Swoop For Pablo Aimar

Rafa Benitez is weighing up a swoop for Argentinian playmaker Pablo Aimar.

The Liverpool boss is looking into the possibility of signing Aimar from Real Zaragoza after being alerted to his availability.

Benitez has managed Aimar previously when the pair worked together at Valencia – a time which Aimar openly admits was his most productive as a player.

Since then he has gone on to star for Zaragoza in La Liga after a £8.5m move from Valencia in July 2006.

Though a hugely popular figure among the Zaragoza fans, Aimar is believed to be ready to test himself in the Premiership and new Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has already registered an interest in taking him to the north east.

But Benitez is monitoring the situation and could be prepared to make a move for Aimar – whom Diego Maradona once described as his "legitimate successor as the world's best player" – if the price is right.

With the transfer window set to close next Thursday, Liverpool would have to move fast if they are to secure a deal for the attacking midfielder. But with the club set to receive a fee in the region of £9m for Momo Sissoko, and Benitez having received the backing of co-owner Tom Hicks, there is nothing to stand in the way of them making an offer.

The 28-year-old has been linked with Liverpool before, shortly after Benitez quit Valencia to take over at Anfield, but no move transpired.

At the time Aimar said: "Rafa Benitez is an excellent coach who knows me very well and Liverpool would be an ideal place to go if I cannot sort out my future here.

"From what I can see, English football is the best in Europe next to Spain and I do not think I would have a problem adapting to the Premiership."

Mascherano: I Want To Leave Liverpool For Juventus

Javier Mascherano has declared that he wants to leave Liverpool, and has spoken about the possibility of a move to Juventus.

The Argentine is undoubtedly one of the best defensive midfielders in world football, however his future at Liverpool is clouded in uncertainty.

Mascherano's contract is owned by the international fund of investors, Media Sports Investments (M.S.I), who are demanding €24m for their client to stay at Liverpool permanently.

The Anfield club's owners Tom Hicks and George Gillet are refusing to pay such a sum, thus making it inevitable that the player will leave the club.

However Mascherano has now admitted himself that he is keen to depart England.

"At Liverpool I have found my home. I am committed and I cannot complain about how the city has accepted me since I came here,” the 23-year-old told an Argentinean radio station.

“However I feel that now the time has come to move on. I would like to leave the Premiership. A move to Juventus? Well I like to travel.”

Mascherano’s agent Walter Tamer fuelled speculation yesterday when he admitted that his client was likely to be playing in Italy next season.

“Liverpool have not made any offer at all to buy Javier and it is likely that he will go to Italy next season," Tamer stated.

Juventus will complete the transfer of Momo Sissoko this Sunday for €13m, and it now seems possible that Mascherano could join him in Turin.

The Bianconeri fans have been bitterly opposed to Sissoko’s transfer, however they are likely to be much more open to the possibility of Mascherano moving.

It remains to be seen if Juve’s sports director Alessio Secco will listen to Mascherano’s hint of a come-and-get-me plea.

Liverpool To Loan Leto Out To River Plate

According to reports from the Argentine press River Plate are on the verge of signing young left sided midfielder Sebastian Leto from Liverpool.

River Plate have announced that Liverpool midfielder Sebastian Leto is just a step away from joining the Buenos Aires club.

The Argentine giants have come to an agreement with the midfielder, and all they now need for the transfer to be complete is Liverpool's approval.

Leto is unable to play in England at the moment, because of a problem with his passport, and he thought that a loan deal with River Plate would be the best option.

Director's from the Argentine club told Telam that they came to an agreement with Leto and his agent, Ricardo Cosentino, for the young left sided midfielder to return to Argentine football.

Leto, who was formerly of Lanus, will be River's fourth new signing of the season, after Sebastian Abreu, Rodrigo Archubi, and Gustavo Cabral.

Reds Unveil New Stadium Plans

Liverpool have unveiled the latest plans for their new stadium on the day that an announcement is expected that co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have completed the £350million refinancing deal which will secure their futures at Anfield.

The under-fire American duo have agreed the financial package which will help repay the near £220million they borrowed to take over the club last March and allow development on the proposed new stadium at Stanley Park to begin.

The club plan to build the 71,000-seat venue close to Anfield in time for the 2011-12 season and unveiled new plans for the stadium today. Hicks said: "HKS has developed a more efficient design that, at the same time, is just as stunning as the original one.

"Liverpool supporters should have high expectations for the future - a premier sporting experience at their new stadium and a winning club on the pitch for years to come."

However, the news of the refinancing deal is likely to be unpopular among fans who demonstrated against the Hicks and Gillett during Monday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Anfield.

Hicks in particular is unpopular on Merseyside after making it public knowledge that he sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann about the possibility of replacing current Reds boss Rafael Benitez.

But news of the refinancing deal could effectively end the interest in the club of the investment arm of the Dubai government, Dubai International Capital (DIC).

DIC came close to taking over at Anfield before Hicks and Gillett succeeded last year, but were reportedly set to launch a fresh bid should the Americans wish to put the club back on the market.

Meanwhile, on the field Benitez is hoping his players can use Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Havant & Waterlooville to build some confidence.

Four successive draws has seen the Reds drop off the pace in the title race and the Spaniard is hoping for goals against the non-league side.

"Now we have a cup tie with a non-league team, it will be a great occasion for everyone but maybe we can score some goals to give us confidence," he said.

Arsenal Reject Liverpool Move For Theo Walcott

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has turned down Liverpool's request to take Theo Walcott on loan.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who has been put under growing pressure by a series of disappointing results and a highly publicised fall-out with the club's owners, wanted to bring the striker to Anfield for the remainder of the season.

However, Wenger is unwilling to let the England international leave the Emirates Stadium, even on a temporary basis.

The Frenchman said that he would not be releasing any players on loan during the transfer window because Arsenal were "very short [of players]".

"We have 17 players at the moment, and you could see with the players who were on the bench at Tottenham that they should not have been on the bench there," he said.

Many Premier League managers thought that Arsenal's exit from the Carling Cup at the hands of Tottenham would a prompt an exodus of Arsenal's promising youngsters on loan deals, since Wenger primarily used the competition to blood his less experienced players.

As well as Benitez's interest, Sven-Goran Eriksson was keen to bring Walcott to Manchester City, while Blackburn manager Mark Hughes was also reportedly monitoring the forward's situation.

And outside of the Premier League, Championship club Stoke City were poised to launch an ambitious bid to secure Walcott's services.

Wenger paid a world record fee for a 16-year-old in the 2006 January transfer window when he signed Walcott - a deal that could rise to £12 million.

However, Walcott has so far failed to shine for Arsenal, making just 25 first-team starts over the past two years.

Reds Owners To Go Public Soon

Liverpool's American owners have again delayed an announcement of a successful refinancing deal but an agreement should be made public soon.

Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are on the verge of sealing a £350million package and had been expected to announce today that it had gone through.

There are no serious hitches however and it is understood the deal is all but signed off, and the announcement will include details of the chosen design for a new stadium at Stanley Park.

Of the £350million, more than £160million will be debt tied to Liverpool and around £190million covered by Hicks and Gillett's guarantees.

The £160million figure includes £105million new cash for the club - £65million to kick-start work on the new stadium, and a further sum of £45million of working capital including money for player acquisitions. The remainder is the existing debt the Americans inherited when they took over the club a year ago.

Hicks and Gillett are insisting however that the other £190million in the refinancing package - to cover their initial cost of buying the club - will not be loaded onto Liverpool.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry and former chairman David Moores, who is still a board member, have made it clear they oppose any of the takeover debt being loaded onto the club.

Now that doubts over the refinancing deal have evaporated, the Americans - particularly Hicks - face a struggle to win back the fans, not to mention manager Rafael Benitez.

Supporters staged protests against the owners at Anfield on Monday night, sparked by Hicks' revelation that he had sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann towards the end of last year as a possible successor for Benitez.

The supporters will also be watching carefully to see what happens to any profits Liverpool make - will they be used to service the club's debt or will a dividend be paid to the Americans' company Kop Holdings to service their debt?

Meanwhile, chances of Dubai Investment Capital (DIC) taking over Liverpool in the near future seem dead in the water.

It is understood Hicks spoke at length to DIC about selling up to them but they were unwilling to match his asking price.

Sissoko Deal Done, Official Confirmation On Sunday

Juventus have agreed a deal to sign Momo Sissoko from Liverpool for €13m and the transfer will become official this Sunday, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 23-year-old midfielder has been strongly associated with the Bianconeri for several weeks now, with the only question seemingly being whether he would arrive in Turin this month or in June.

Sissoko will touch down in Turin on Sunday, where he will complete a routine medical, complete the final signature, before flying back to Ghana for the African Cup of Nations, where he is representing his country Mali.

Theoretically Sissoko is already a Juventus player after an agreement was reached yesterday over both a transfer fee and wages.

Juve will pay Liverpool €13m, with €11m being paid immediately, and another €2m after a set number of league and cup appearances.

Sissoko has agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract, with an option of an extra year after this. The player will receive a healthy €2.5m a year, which works out at just under €50,000 a week.

Juventus have been desperate to sign a centre midfielder this month following the disastrous performances of Tiago Mendes and Sergio Almiron, who were signed for a combined €22m last summer.

Sissoko had the chance to join the Old Lady last summer but he rejected the transfer in favour of signing a new contract at Liverpool.

This season he has barely featured for the Merseyside-based club, and it seems he has had a change of heart over a move to Italy’s most successful club.

Javier Mascherano Nears Liverpool Exit

Javier Mascherano looks set to leave Liverpool for Italy this summer, according to the player's agent.

Liverpool need to pay £17 million to sign the Argentina international on a permanent deal after the 23-year-old joined on a long-term loan from West Ham last season.

The club's American owners have as yet failed to agree to the deal with the current furore surrounding their own futures at Anfield taking centre stage.

The fee for Mascherano could be paid in installments, but with the January transfer window door nearing a close, the midfielder is edging closer to the exit door.

"Liverpool have not made any offer at all to buy Javier and it is likely that he will go to Italy next season," Mascherano's agent, Walter Tamer said.

Mascherano is eager to stay at Liverpool but if a deal cannot be finalised this month he is likely to become a summer target for Juventus and AC Milan.

His exit would also add to Liverpool's turbulent season which has been hampered by the uncertainty concerning manager Rafa Benitez's future.

The club's American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have been caught up in a transfer row with Benitez and suggested that the Spaniard needs to sell some of his squad players before adding to it.

Benitez has made two signings this month, the £6.5m recruit of defender Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg, while 16-year-old Alex Cooper has joined from Ross County for £100,000.

Hicks Secures £350m Funds For Liverpool

Tom Hicks will strike a blow for his troubled Liverpool reign by announcing a £350million refinancing deal and unveiling detailed plans for a new stadium at nearby Stanley Park.

After weeks of uncertainty over whether the new funds could be secured and with the deadline for repaying an initial loan for the purchase of the club only a fortnight away, Hicks is convinced he is in a position to confirm a key breakthrough for himself and co-owner George Gillett.

Under the deal, around £190m will be taken on by Kop Investment, the holding company set up by Hicks and Gillett immediately after last year's takeover, rather than the whole amount being added to Liverpool's debt.

The Americans agreed to the split after being lobbied by former chairman David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry, who were anxious to prevent such a burden being placed on club finances.

Their stance was a key reason for completion of the restructuring arrangement taking so long, but the go-ahead from the Royal Bank of Scotland and U.S. investment bank Wachovia is imminent.

While Hicks and Gillett hope the latest development will underline their determination to retain control, there was a further setback for Rafa Benitez ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Havant and Waterlooville.

Already reeling from a fourth Barclays Premier League draw in a row, the Liverpool manager has had to add striker Andriy Voronin and defender Alvaro Arbeloa to a lengthening injury list.

Voronin twisted an ankle in training on Wednesday while Arbeloa is facing three weeks on the sidelines after suffering an abdominal strain in Monday's2-2drawwith Aston Villa.

There are also fears that centre back Daniel Agger may not play again this season after heading to Spain for treatment on a persistent metatarsal problem.

Xabi Alonso Falls In Love With Magic Of The FA Cup

Xabi Alonso is fascinated by the fact that a club like Liverpool can face a non-league side in the FA Cup.

Back home in Spain, he says, Havant and Waterlooville would never have their moment in the sun.

“You can only play teams up to two divisions below you,” said the midfielder as the Blue Square South side prepared to visit Anfield in the fourth round on Saturday.

“But this is all part of the glamour and the prestige that the FA Cup has. This is why it is so interesting.

“It is the oldest football competition in history and it means so much to the supporters in this country.

“Every supporter, whether they follow a big or a small club, knows their team will be in it and that is important.”

Liverpool needed a replay before they were able to overcome League One Luton and Alonso insists Havant will be treated with respect.

He told liverpoolfc.tv: “Hopefully we’ll see some goals but before you score you have to take it step by step.

“You saw against Luton that it took a while to get the first goal. It was longer than expected.

“By reaching this round they deserve as much respect as we gave Aston Villa.

“It’s going to be a dream come true for some of them and it will be interesting.”

Alonso added: “Rafa Benitez always tells us about the opposition players and he won’t change that this time.

“He will briefly show us about the way they play and the players they have.”

Luis Fabiano Linked With Move To Liverpool FC

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano could be on his way to the Premier League with the Brazil international claiming negotiations with an English club are at an “advanced” stage.

Although he did not name which club he is in talks with, Spanish media have been reporting that Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton are among those interested in signing the in-form hitman.

Luis Fabiano, who is the joint-leading goalscorer in La Liga this season with 13, reportedly told the Brazilian media that the possibility of moving to England was a “great opportunity” for him.

“It is very difficult for me to remain in Sevilla. The negotiations for me to go to England are very advanced. It is my great opportunity,” said the 27-year-old, who joined Sevilla from Porto in 2005.

“I am very happy at Sevilla and in Seville, who are a club and a city which I like very much. But it is my great opportunity and I will do what I think is most appropriate for me.”

Crouch: Just Finishing Fourth Is Going To Be A Fight For Liverpool

Peter Crouch underlined the extent of Liverpool's disarray yesterday by admitting they had a fight on their hands to qualify for next season's Champions League — let alone the Barclays Premier League title.

Liverpool's recent decline may not have been as pronounced as the nosedive on the world's financial markets that appeared to leave a question mark over Tom Hicks and George Gillett's hopes of pulling off a £350million refinancing deal.

Despite misgivings over another credit squeeze in America, though, the American owners remain confident of securing the rescue package in time to meet the early-February deadline for repaying loans.

Crouch, however, is more concerned with falling returns on the pitch that have forced Rafa Benitez's players to lower their sights and concentrate on salvaging fourth place.

Four successive draws in the League have left them 14 points behind leaders Manchester United and Jamie Carragher has already accepted that top spot has eluded them for another year.

But Crouch paints an even bleaker picture. The England striker said: 'First and foremost, we have to cement a Champions League spot. That is the minimum we have to strive for, but it is clear we are going to have to do better after the disappointments of the past few weeks.

'For a club like ours, with the sort of squad we've got, it is nothing like good enough. At the start of the season, we all felt we could mount a serious bid for the title, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen now.'

Milan Giants For Javier Duel?

Inter and Milan could do battle for Argentine ace Javier Mascherano after his agent revealed that Liverpool haven’t made a bid to keep him.

Mascherano joined the Reds on a long-term loan from West Ham last summer but Liverpool have been told they will need to pay around £17m to keep him.

While a deal in instalments could be arranged, the club’s owners seem to have other issues to deal with and have no agreement in place, leaving Mascherano looking for a new team.

“Liverpool haven’t made any offer at all for Javier and it is likely that he will move to Italy next season,” agent Walter Tamer stated.

Juventus had been favourites to table a summer bid for Mascherano, but the Old Lady have turned their attentions to Mohamed Sissoko, who is expected to join the Bianconeri within the next week.

Inter and Milan are reportedly watching the situation with interest and there may be some kind of bidding war between the two rivals.

While neither side will be keen to shell out £17m, Mascherano could become an alternative to Ronaldinho, should the Brazilian star decide to remain at Barcelona.