Liverpool Trial Teen Striker

Liverpool have confirmed they have offered a trial to 14 year old striker Markus Johansson, from Swedish club Hagahojden.

Despite his tender years, Johansson has already forced his way into the senior side at Hagahojden and has three goals to his name.

The Reds have been watching the youngster since he impressed in a summer tryout last year and he will now travel to Liverpool in the summer in an attempt to impress the Anfield coaching staff.

Johansson confirmed that he would be travelling to England in the next few months. He said: “We have kept in touch with their Swedish scout. I will go to Liverpool in August and train with their Academy for a few days.”

The teenager also admitted that the chance to play for Liverpool is a dream come true although he was honest enough to confess: “I am already starting to get nervous.”

Despite his nerves, the youngster is looking forward to what is undoubtedly a great opportunity. He said: “I got to know about the trial last week. It will be great fun. There are no doubts that it will be the biggest opportunity of my life.”

He was also quick to point out that playing for Liverpool is a long held ambition of his: “My biggest asset is my strength and it is my dream to play for Liverpool.”

Shocker For Benitez: Liverpool Forward Babel Ruled Out Of Euro 2008 By Serious Ankle Injury

Holland winger Ryan Babel will miss Euro 2008 after tearing ankle ligaments in training.

Babel is expected to be out of action for several weeks and will therefore not take part in the summer showpiece in Austria and Switzerland.

The Liverpool attacker sustained the injury a day before Holland play their final pre-tournament friendly, against Wales in Rotterdam.

Holland coach Marco van Basten has not named a replacement for the 21-year-old although he is permitted to do so once Babel has been examined by a UEFA doctor.

The Dutch will line up alongside France, Italy and Romania in Group C. Their first match is on June 9 against world champions Italy.

Despite the injury blow, Holland boss Marco van Basten has delivered an ominous warning for John Toshack's Wales ahead of their meeting at Feyenoord's sold-out De Kuip stadium, demanding a flurry of goals to send his side into the Euro 2008 finals on a high.

That will be worrying for Welsh ears, because the last time they faced Holland they were thrashed 7-1 in Eindhoven in 1996, and Van Basten clearly wants a similar scoreline against a country they have beaten on all five previous meetings between the side.
Van Basten was disappointed with Thursday's 1-1 home draw against Denmark, when he fielded a side much closer to the one expected to face Italy in their opening group C match on June 9 in Berne.

"We must be more clinical and take our chances. This team has matured over the last two years and everywhere the expectation is so much higher, not surprisingly," he said.

"But we cannot allow ourselves to let teams off the hook when we are making chances and on top."

Former Manchester United ace Ruud van Nistelrooy scored early on against the Danes, but Holland could not build on that opener.

And now Wales could feel the backlash with a young, inexperienced side set to line up against the Dutch.

Van Basten said: "It is a bad thing for us, we are not cashing in on the numerous chances we create. This is often a Dutch problem, and one we must solve before we go to the finals."

The former Dutch master, though, was happy with Van Nistelrooy's contribution, the Real Madrid man only joining up with the squad on Monday after being excused the early training work along with other stars who had been involved in big matches of late.

Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar - the Red Devils' spot-kick hero in the Champions League Final - was another later arrival in camp.

"Van Nistelrooy took his chance well and looked sharp. But others must start to score as well," added the coach.

Before Babel broke down Van Basten reduced his squad to 23 after Wigan defender Mario Melchiot proved his fitness after struggling with a groin problem. The three unlucky players to step down were keeper Sander Boschker, Denny Landzaat and Khalid Boulahrouz.

Wales could find themselves facing virtually Van Basten's strongest side, but Arsenal's Robin van Persie is unlikely to be risked as he is still suffering from a thigh problem.

Van Basten, perhaps significantly, made a point that the forward had been risked too soon by the Gunners at the tale end of the season.

He said: "We are not going to do that because Robin is a special player we would rather see in the side to face Italy.

"He came back too quickly last season and had a relapse. Our doctors believe it is better to allow him to recuperate as long as possible rather than risk him being injured in a friendly."

Aston Villa full-back Wilfred Bouma will get his chance to clinch a place in the starting line-up against the Italians, as will Real Madrid's former Chelsea man Arjen Robben, who was replaced late on by Babel against the Danes.The KNVB said a replacement for Babel was being discussed.

The Netherlands are in Group C along with France, Italy and Romania for the June 7-29 tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

Torres Rules Out Reds Exit

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres insists he will be at Anfield for 'many years to come'.

The Spain international enjoyed a prolific first season in England following his move from Atletico Madrid, finding the net 24 times in the Premier League.

Torres' red-hot form in front of goal has seen him linked with a number of clubs throughout Europe, with Chelsea said to be considering an astonishing £50million offer.

But the Kop idol has assured manager Rafa Benitez and the club's fans that he has no intention of moving away from Merseyside.

He said: "It is an honour to be linked to clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, or Arsenal - but I am not thinking about a change and I want to continue playing for Liverpool for many years to come.

"It's been quite easy for me. I have been able to enjoy every minute at a club where things have gone well.

"I have been part of a team where every player shares the same goals and where a player can rely on the support of his team-mates.

"I have also worked with a manager who believed in me. It was the combination of all these factors."

Hyypia - End Boardroom Bust-up

Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has called on co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to end their boardroom bickering in order to allow the Reds to focus on success.

Gillett and Hicks - who took control at Anfield in February 2007 - suffered a much publicised difference of opinion last term, which saw Merseyside swamped in speculation about the future of the American duo.

Liverpool, who had been tipped to challenge for the Premier League, ended the last campaign without a trophy and failed to reach a cup final for the first time in manager Rafa Benitez's four-year reign.

And veteran centre-back Hyypia has demanded Gillett and Hicks settle their differences in the summer in order to allow Liverpool to land silverware.

"I think Liverpool fans and the club expect success in a season and we didn't win anything, so I can't be satisfied," Hyypia said in The People.

"With what has gone on off the pitch I think everyone is professional enough to just concentrate on doing what they do on it and not get too distracted.

"But it doesn't help the football club to be successful and hopefully soon they can get things sorted so we can push on.

"I don't know the whole truth but I know everything is not right with the owners."

Liverpool To Offer ₤20m For Ribery

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is reportedly preparing an ambitious bid for Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.

The French international, widely tipped to star for Les Bleus at EURO 2008 next month, has catapulted himself to superstardom since his arrival in Bavaria last summer.

The 25-year-old journeyman is now recognised as one of the most dangerous wingers in the game, alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

His performances for Bayern have alerted some of the biggest clubs in Europe, and reports from Germany claim Liverpool will offer ₤20 million for the former Marseille man.

Benitez is keen to strengthen his attacking options over the summer, and has been monitoring a number of wide players, including La Liga stars Maxi Rodriguez and Albert Riera.

Ribery’s ability to play right across the pitch will no doubt attract the former Valencia boss, as will the Frenchman’s supreme understanding with Bayern hitman Luca Toni.

Benitez is planning to build a team around star striker Fernando Torres, and Ribery could prove a stunning addition alongside Dutch youngster Ryan Babel and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard in the Reds’ 4-2-3-1 formation.

However, as Bayern paid around ₤17 million for the former Galatasaray man only a year ago, Rafa and co may have to up their bid if they wish to prise one of Europe’s most exciting talents away from the Allianz Arena.

Gerrard Desperate For Barry Buy

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed he is desperate play alongside Gareth Barry next season, as the Aston Villa midfielder draws ever closer to an Anfield switch.

The pair are famous friends off the pitch, and their combination for England’s second goal during their 2-0 win over the United States on Wednesday showed exactly what Barry can bring to the Liverpool midfield.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill is reluctant to sell his skipper, especially given his ire at the overtly public manner in which the Reds have pursued the 27-year-old.

Gerrard has given O’Neill more to grumble about by reiterating that Barry is one of Benitez’s prime summer targets.

And the Kop idol is keen to see his England colleague in a red shirt next season, insisting his playing style will perfectly suit the Merseyside giants.

“We’re good friends on and off the pitch and I'm desperate for us to sign him,” Gerrard said.

“I am sure Gareth will find it hard to leave Villa. But he is 27 and needs Champions League football. He has been there for 10 years. Yet opportunities sometimes come up to better your career.

“I spoke to Rafa Benitez at the end of the season and I know he has players he is trying to bring in this summer. One of those is Gareth Barry. He will certainly help Liverpool to become a better team.”

“I’ve enjoyed playing with him for England. He keeps it simple and is easy to read.”

Mascherano Desperate For Beijing Berth

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is determined to help Argentina defend their title at the Beijing Olympics this summer, despite his manager’s protests.

The 23-year-old could become the first Argentine to win back-to-back gold medals at the Olympics games, having been part of the Albicelestes team that triumphed in Athens in 2004.

But Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is desperate to persuade his midfield enforcer to skip the Games, as it would mean he would miss the first four weeks of next season.

The Reds have already released Brazilian gun Lucas Leiva for Olympic duty, meaning Mascherano’s absence would leave the team thin in midfield.

But the former West Ham man is keen to achieve history in China, and insisted his commitment to his country in no way lessens his loyalty to Liverpool.

“It’s important for any athlete to defend the gold medal,” said Mascherano. “I might be the only person from my country ever to do it and I’ll go down in history.

“I owe Rafa a lot in my career and I’m very appreciative of him but I want to go to Beijing because nothing counts for me more than helping my nation.

“He knows I leave my life on the pitch every time I play for Liverpool.”

Reds Let Crouch Leave

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch is likely to be granted his wish of leaving the club, after they finally backed down on their ambitious asking price.

The 27-year-old was aghast when Reds boss Rafa Benitez announced it would take at least ₤15 million to prize the lanky target-man away from Anfield.

Aston Villa and Portsmouth had expressed interest in bringing back their former striker, but Liverpool’s lofty price tag seemed to scare off all potential suitors, much to Crouch’s chagrin.

The England international had previously intimated his desire to leave Merseyside in search of regular football, in order to stay well and truly in view of Three Lions boss Fabio Capello.

The former Southampton man has received few first-team opportunities in recent times, as Spanish import Fernando Torres has clearly established himself as Benitez’s first-choice forward since arriving last summer from Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool gradually favoured a 4-2-3-1 system throughout the season, meaning Crouch was basically reduced to filling in when Torres was injured or rested – although he did usually impress when given the chance.

But Crouch’s hopes of regular football have taken a turn for the better, as Benitez and co are prepared to knock up to ₤5 million off their asking price, according to The Sun.

Pompey had an initial ₤7 million bid rejected, but Harry Redknapp may well snare his man if he can up the number to ₤10 million.

Villa are also still in the hunt, and as Gareth Barry looks increasingly likely to leave the Midlands in favour of Merseyside, the possibility remains of a swap deal that would see Crouch return to Villa Park.

End Of The Road At Anfield For John Arne Riise

John Arne Riise has been told he will be sold this summer should Liverpool receive a suitable offer for his services.

The out of favour left back claims he is in the dark about what lies in store for him at Anfield, even though the ECHO understands Riise has already been informed that he has no future at the club.

In an interview with a Scandinavian newspaper Riise revealed he has instructed his agent to speak to the club on his behalf in a last ditch attempt to find out whether or not he has any chance of extending his Liverpool career to an eighth season.

“My agent is set to find out what is happening,” he said. “I have to get things sorted out before pre-season starts.

“Those who have played internationals are due to meet up on July 7. I can’t wait and wait for an answer. I have to get an answer now.”

With Rafa Benitez already in the market for a new left back, the promising Emiliano Insua emerging from the reserve ranks and Brazilian Fabio Aurelio now back to full fitness, the likelihood is that Riise has played his last game for Liverpool and will be sold this summer.

Several clubs are interested in signing the Norwegian, although the Reds are yet to receive a firm offer.

Udinese’s Andrea Dossena remains Benitez’s first choice to fill the left back position next season and although a fee is still to be agreed negotiations are progressing and the Italian international is believed to be keen on a move to Anfield.

Dossena’s arrival would bring Riise’s Liverpool career to an end, particularly with Benitez keen to balance the books with player sales.

Liverpool Must Go Far And Wide For New Recruits

When Liverpool's new city centre store threw open its doors for the first time yesterday it was deluged by fans with shopping lists as long as a John Arne Riise throw-in.

But there were two special guests who had very different shopping on their minds from the majority of people at the biggest official club store in Europe in the newly opened Liverpool One development.

The thoughts of former Reds stars Jason McAteer and Jan Molby were concentrated more on the forthcoming Anfield bring and buy sale as Rafa Benitez gets to work on moulding his squad for the coming Premiership season.

Both are in no doubt about the areas the Liverpool manager needs to strengthen as, like everyone else in football, they have identified the wide areas as being in need of most urgent attention.

And both are happy that Liverpool have been linked with Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry.

But Molby and McAteer are split when it comes to who they would like to see added to the players roster at Anfield for the 2008/09 season, with the Dane being keen to see Barcelona star Deco in a red shirt and the former Irish international having his eye on Ricardo Quaresma of Porto.

“Obviously, Gareth Barry is the name on everyone’s lips at the moment and I think the speculation about Xabi Alonso leaving links into that as well,” said McAteer.

“We’ve already brought Philipp Degen in who is a Swiss international so that looks like a good signing.

“Down the spine of the team we can compete with anyone and that includes Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

“Reina is a fantastic keeper, we’ve got some brilliant centre-halfs in Jamie Carragher, Skrtel, Agger and Hyypia, in the middle of the park we’ve already got Stevie G and Mascherano and obviously there’s Torres up front.

“I’d like to see another striker at the club but, having said that, I think Peter Crouch deserves to stay at the club.

“He is a great player and he’s handled himself really well off the pitch despite the fact that he has had a difficult year.

“Peter has hung in there and I would like to see him given more starts next season.

“The flanks are the areas where we really need to improve. Harry Kewell’s already gone and it looks like Pennant will follow him, Dirk Kuyt has done a job on the right flank for the team but I’d like to see a real top quality winger brought in.

“Quaresma can sometimes be a liability and he is supposed to be a bit of a livewire off the pitch, but in terms of ability his quality is fantastic.

“He grew up with Ronaldo at Sporting Lisbon and as youngsters he was considered the better of the two of them.

“Obviously Ronaldo has come through a lot more than Quaresma, but I think a lot of that is down to Alex Ferguson and I think Quaresma could really flourish under Rafa Benitez.

“So maybe someone like him would be a good signing.

“But I also like the look of Bayern Munich’s Philip Lahm, who can play at fullback or in midfield.

“In fact, he would probably provide a nice balance with Quaresma because he doesn’t go forward quite as much and has a more defensive mind.

“The only thing is, quality like this costs a lot of money. But there is no reason why the manager shouldn’t be given that kind of money, especially if we want to challenge.”

Like every other Liverpool fan, Molby has been picking up on all the speculation linking Liverpool with various players, but Deco is the one who most captures his imagination.

“There are lots of rumours going around, as there always are at this time of year,” he said.

“I think we have more or less identified the areas where we need to strengthen – obviously the full back areas and on the flanks – but I also think we’re desperate for another striker and that would be my prime target if I was the manager.

“Berbatov has been mentioned, but I don’t know if we’ve got that kind of money.

“The one for me would be Deco. When he became available at Barcelona the first thing I thought was that he’d be great to play in the hole behind Torres.

“I’m not sure we need another out and out striker because I think Fernando Torres is one of those rare specimens who actually plays better up front on his own.

“For me, what we really need is an old style number seven, someone who can play in that role just off the main striker like Kenny Dalglish and Peter Beardsley used to, and I just thought that when Deco became available he would have been ideal.

“I know he’s had some ups and downs but he undoubtedly has ability. That boy can really play.

“I think it is really difficult because there aren’t loads of great wingers about.

“I know a lot of people have been looking at Mancini at Roma but I don’t think he’s a Premier League player and I wouldn’t bring him here.

“I think that Rafa has reached the stage where he believes that if we are going to bring in wide men to do well in the Premier League then they might have to be British, hence the talk about Stewart Downing and David Bentley coming to Anfield.

“We’ve tried with foreign wide men and it hasn’t quite worked out.

“I think Gareth Barry is a very good player. He is an intelligent footballer who is ideally suited to the way Rafa wants to play.

“He’s not a headless chicken, he knows the game inside out. The only problem is, if we do sign him we’re going to have to sell one of our central midfield players because he won’t be bringing him to play on the left and that will probably spell the end of Xabi Alonso.

“For me, Xabi is a once in a lifetime player and it will be a shame if he has to go, but maybe it makes sense if the fee that’s been bandied about is the right one.

“If it is, then maybe the time is right to take the money and run but I would be reluctant to see him go.”

The tills started ringing at Liverpool’s brand new superstore yesterday, and it is only a matter of time before the buying and selling begins at Anfield.

But whether any of the potential targets named by Molby and McAteer feature on Rafa Benitez’s shopping list remains to be seen.

Liverpool's Riera Bid Rejected

Espanyol have rejected Liverpool’s £9.5m (€12m) bid for Spanish international midfielder Albert Ortega Riera, according to reports.

The left-sided midfielder has expressed his desire to join a bigger club this summer, having impressed for the The Periquitos this season, breaking into the Spain squad and scoring a spectacular debut goal against Denmark in October.

Having drawn plaudits during a loan spell with Manchester City in 2006, the 26-year old is not short of Premiership suitors and Liverpool will have to almost double their bid if they are to meet Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez Libre’s £18.5 million valuation.

The Merseysiders have time to mull over an improved bid given Riera’s omission from Spain’s Euro 2008 squad, a factor that served only to heighten the midfielder’s growing frustration in Barcelona.

Though he along with teammates Luis Garcia and Raul Tamudo have all featured prominently for Luis Aragones, most recently in the friendly win over Italy in March, Riera feels that Espanyol’s poor second-half to the season has cost the trio their international places.

"I knew there could be surprises but I expected to be there," he said.

"But the second half of the season has cost us.

"Normally all three of us would be with the national team and now none of us are," he said.

"It's disappointing but there is no point looking back now.

"I will rest this summer and start to think about next season."

Gillett & Hicks Show Their Priorities

Almost 16 months after George Gillett and Tom Hicks walked into Liverpool Football Club promising to have “a spade in the ground within 60 days”, instead the only construction involving Liverpool FC involves the opening of a brand new megastore in the new Liverpool One shopping centre.

The new shop, the biggest in Europe, is once again evidence of where the American owners’ priorities lie. If their promises about the new stadium had been met we’d have been seeing photos of the new stadium on Stanley Park being constructed, instead we’ve seen three proposed plans, lots of wasted money on planning, embarrassing backtracking on one design, cost-cutting to another design, and no further along with planning for the increased capacity. Rather than the new stadium being well on it’s way to be being built, instead we’re left still hearing about talks of groundshares with Everton.

Fans group SOS (Spirit of Shankly) have been urging Liverpool fans not to purchase official club merchandise for as long as Hicks and Gillett are at the helm. They have placed debt onto our football club and now expect us to repay that debt for them, against their promises and our wishes.

Whatever the marketing blurb says we know that paradise isn’t a place where Manchester United are league and European Champions and look like investing significantly this summer from a position of strength. We know paradise isn’t inertia; two owners desperate to wring every last penny over their abortive eighteen months in charge of the football club. We know paradise isn’t being lied to again and again. It isn’t Rick Parry.

Supporting this football club isn’t buying into a franchise; it’s committing yourself to shared values and aspirations. It’s a necessity of modern football that this collective identity is taken and sold back to us. However that doesn’t mean we should accept it when those shared values and aspirations aren’t simply being ignored but are being ridden roughshod over by those who stand to gain from our support.

We’ve asked you to withhold that support wherever possible and we ask you to do so again. We’ve asked you to spread this word around and we ask you to do so again. We’ve asked each and every one of you to consider every pound that goes into the football club as being a pound which goes towards us paying off a debt which is not ours, which has not been instituted for the benefit of the football club but for the two greedy individuals who hold our potential back, and work out whether or not that pound is worth spending.

The fight has dragged on but that doesn’t make it any less worth fighting and it doesn’t make it any less urgent. Every day that passes damages our club and we’re looking for new fronts to open, to re-emphasise there is no custodianship here, no integrity, no honesty, no dignity. Nothing that makes LFC fans proud.

Next week we’re hoping to start sending membership packs out, we’re hoping to launch the online membership. Within our membership packs is a badge. The badge we send out isn’t just a badge, isn’t a family crest but it is a simple statement - that the wearer will not accept our shared values being destroyed, that the wearer will fight against this now, and will ensure that after this fight has been won the next custodians will be held to account.

We know nothing is impossible; that’s why we’re here: an organisation created from the ground up, energised by Liverpool supporters who will not watch what they believe in be eroded by lies and ongoing incompetence. A democratic organisation which has and will continue to speak for the collective, speak for the shared values and aspirations and will speak out as the erosion takes place. We still need your energy and your support; we shall always need it if we are to fulfil what we said we would. We can only come together and hold the club to account for years to come if we do stand together as a massed force of Liverpool supporters.

Paradise isn’t a shop. It’s being one red in a crowd, urging this football club towards success.

Fernando Torres To Get Liverpool Pay Rise

Liverpool are set to reward Fernando Torres for his outstanding debut season at Anfield by giving the striker an £800,000-a-year pay rise.

The Spain international, who moved to Merseyside from Atletico de Madrid last summer for £21.5 million, was promised when he signed for the club that his salary would be reviewed at the end of his first season in the Premier League.

Torres was so keen to join Liverpool that he actually accepted a drop in his wages, as well as waiving the £3m from the original transfer fee that Atletico owed him but, after scoring an incredible 33 goals in the last campaign, the powers that be at Anfield have agreed to increase his weekly wage packet from £74,000 to the £89,000 that he was paid at the Vicente Calderon.

That works out at an extra £4m for the player over the remaining five years of his contract, but it will be considered a small price to pay by manager Rafael Benitez if it helps to ward off interest from rivals Chelsea, who earlier this week signalled their desire to lure the highly-talented forward away to Stamford Bridge for the start of next season.

It has been reported that Torres' agent, Margarita Garay, was in Liverpool between May 14 and 16 to thrash out the new agreement, with a source close to the player saying: "There has been a meeting between Fernando's people and Liverpool.

"It was very amicable and set the tone for what should be a straightforward negotiation."

Aberdeen And Hibs Join Queue To Land Liverpool Winger Hammill

Hibs and Aberdeen are among the clubs set to fight it out for the loan signing of Liverpool winger Adam Hammill.

The 20-year-old had a successful four-month spell at Dunfermline last year, helping the Pars reach the Scottish Cup Final, and could now be set for a return north of the border this summer.

Hammill is back at Anfield after a season-long loan at Southampton but Reds boss Rafa Benitez is exploring the option of farming him out again to gain experience.

But the SPL duo are likely to face English competition from the likes of Swansea, Plymouth, Charlton, Preston and Wolves.

Meanwhile, Hibs striker Abdessalam Benjelloun appears set to quit the club this summer due to a lack of opportunities under manager Mixu Paatelainen.

Riise Wants Answer From Rafa

John Arne Riise wants Rafa Benitez to make a decision on his future at Liverpool before he returns to the club for pre-season training.

The left-back endured a frustrating past season after failing to hold on to a regular place in Benitez's starting line-up.

Benitez is also trying to increase competition in Riise's position, with the Reds in talks to sign Udinese defender Andrea Dossena.

Riise has already admitted he could be forced to move on after seven years at Anfield, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United having been linked with offers.

The 27-year-old is now calling for Benitez to make a decision on his Liverpool career before he returns to the club for pre-season in early July.

"My agent is set to find out what is happening," said the Norwegian.

"I have to get things sorted out before pre-season starts. Those who have played internationals are due to meet up on 7th July.

"I can't wait and wait for an answer. I have to get an answer now."

Rafael Benitez Faces Liverpool Midfield Crisis As Mascherano And Lucas To Head To Olympics

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is set to discuss with Javier Mascherano the Argentinian's possible participation in this summer's Olympic Games.

Mascherano, 23, looks likely to be named in the Argentina squad as an over-age player but the issue has caused consternation at Anfield with Benitez worried about his absence for the start of the new season.

Brazilian Lucas is also likely to be in Beijing with his country while Xabi Alonso seems set to leave the club for Juventus in a £16 million deal, leaving Benitez short of midfielders for the early stages of the campaign.

Benitez said: "This is a very difficult situation for us because we have Lucas, who is eligible through his age with Brazil, and Mascherano, who can play for Argentina as an over-age player, so I need to discuss his position with him. We will see what happens."

Alonso, 26, was reported to be in Turin holding talks with Juventus yesterday. The Basque midfielder has found first-team opportunities increasingly limited at Anfield and the club need to raise funds to make signings over the summer.

Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said: "We can't deny that we're interested, but there's always the problem of getting value for money."

Reds Winger Set For New Loan

Skysports.com understands Liverpool are exploring the option of sending young winger Adam Hammill out on loan again next season.

Hammill has returned to Anfield after a season-long loan spell at Southampton and is waiting to find out what his future holds.

The 20-year-old struggled to show his true form at Southampton because of the upheaval at St Mary's including George Burley's departure to manage Scotland.

Hammill enjoyed a superb spell on loan at Dunfermline in 2007, helping the club reach the Scottish Cup final and his performances in Scotland won him many admirers.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is now exploring the option of loaning out the talented winger for another season as he continues his policy of farming out his best young players, so that they can gain experience before making the step up to the first team.

The news has alerted a number of clubs in England and Scotland as they prepare a move for the former England Under 19 international.

Championship new boys Swansea are thought to be interested in landing Hammill, having had Paul Anderson on loan from Liverpool last season and a move to Roberto Martinez's men could be an option.

Plymouth, Charlton, Preston, Wolves and QPR are all monitoring developments, while Aberdeen and Hibernian are ready to offer Hammill the chance to return to Scotland after he impressed against them while playing for Dunfermline.

Benitez is believed to be looking at the list of interested clubs before making a decision on Hammill's future.

Ablett Seeing Shades Of Kenny

Gary Ablett claims he can see shades of Kenny Dalglish in the way reserve striker Krisztian Nemeth plays football – but insists the youngster has a lot to learn before people can call him the King.

Despite the high praise, Ablett outlines several areas where the Hungarian must improve before he can establish himself as a first-teamer.

"It's probably a wrong comparison to make but I was lucky enough to play with Kenny during my first games at Liverpool and Krisztian reminds me a little bit of that in that he has great balance, can back into people and twist and turn," says Ablett.

"But he still has a lot to learn. His movement can improve. We keep telling the young players that even when they haven't got the ball they can be involved in the game and affect play.

"He doesn't score many with his left foot and that's something we are working on. It's the same with his head, but with his right foot he can find that yard of space in the box and get his shots in early without much backlift. Goalscoring comes naturally to him.

"We mustn't get carried away because he is just 19 years of age. Rafa will make the decision as to when and where Krisztian will get his chance and that will be the right decision."

While stressing the importance of not getting carried away, the interview sees Ablett reveal his belief that Nemeth has the right mentality to succeed in England.

"The fact he came over with some of his countrymen (Peter Gulacsi and Andras Simon) might have helped but he is a little older and decided to get a place on his own in the city centre. I think he brought his girlfriend over too," he says.

"His English is improving and he seems to be a very level-headed young man."

Reds Set To Be Number One In Europe

Liverpool are on course to be Europe's number one ranked team according to UEFA for the first time since 1985.

The basis for the UEFA rankings is the performance of teams in the European Cups during a five-year period.

While the Reds currently stand third behind AC Milan and Chelsea, the projected figures for 2009 put Merseyside's finest on top.

That's because over the last four years – winning the Champions League in 2005, losing in the final in 2007 and reaching the semis last term – the Reds have accrued more points than any other team (Liverpool 104.288; AC Milan 103.006; Chelsea 102.284).

Therefore, a decent European campaign in 2008-09 would see Rafa Benitez's side overtake AC Milan and Chelsea to take top spot.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's recent form in the Champions League also means they will go into the qualifiers for next season's competition as number one seeds when the draw is made in July.

Kuyt And Babel Going To Euro 2008

Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel will both feature in Euro 2008 after being named in Marco van Basten's final Dutch squad.

Kuyt was dropped from the national set up after a blip in form earlier this year but has won his place back in style with a string of priceless Champions League goals for Liverpool.

More recently, the 27-year-old found the net at the weekend in Holland's 3-0 win over Andriy Voronin's Ukraine.

He'll now travel to Austria and Switzerland alongside Babel and five other Premier League stars.

The 23-man squad in full is: Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord). Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa), Tim de Cler (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Ajax), Joris Mathijsen (HSV Hamburg), Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic), Andre Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers). Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Orlando Engelaar (FC Twente Enschede), Nigel de Jong (HSV Hamburg), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid), Rafael van der Vaart (HSV Hamburg), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar). Strikers: Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid).