Harry Confirms Yossi Interest

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed his interest in Liverpool's Israel international midfielder Yossi Benayoun.

Benayoun is reportedly frustrated at a lack of opportunities at Anfield, triggering a host of interest from Premier League rivals.

Manchester City's new boss Mark Hughes has been linked with the 28-year-old, but Pompey have now joined the queue for his signature.

Redknapp believes the former Racing Santander man would be a quality addition to his squad, although he is unsure of his availability.

"Of course I'd like to have someone like Yossi Benayoun," he told Portsmouth's The News.

"He's a top player. I don't know what the chances are of getting him out of Liverpool."

The former West Ham manager is also keen on Peter Crouch but thinks he cannot match the Reds' valuation of the England international.

"It's known I like Crouchie, too. But I think Liverpool want a bit too much money for him," he continued.

"If that's the case then we'll move on to the next option."

Barnes Battles For Post As Boss

During Paul Ince's rise to the rarefied heights of the Premier League, John Barnes has been struggling to even get recognition in the foothills of the game.

Ince became the top flight's first black English manager when he was appointed as Mark Hughes' successor at Blackburn on Sunday.

Barnes, on the other hand, has been applying for vacancies in the lower leagues without success.

It is a situation that has left England's finest black player perplexed, frustrated and angry.

"I've applied for numerous jobs and sometimes I haven't even had the courtesy of a reply to my application letter," Barnes told BBC Sport.

"Perhaps I could understand it if I was applying for jobs at the top level but these were clubs in League One."

Barnes, whose playing career included spells at Watford and Liverpool, did get a big break when he was appointed head coach of Celtic in 1999 in tandem with director of football Kenny Dalglish.

He was sacked eight months into his troubled tenure, the final straw being the now infamous 3-1 defeat by Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup.

The former England winger admits he made mistakes in at Celtic but not enough to consign him to the managerial scrapheap forever.

"There aren't many managers who have never made mistakes, especially early on in their careers," said Barnes.

"You learn from your mistakes and come back stronger and better from them. There are also plenty of managers who keep failing but continue to get employed.

"I'm passionate about football and management and am willing to make my way up from the bottom but I'm not getting any opportunities."

While the 44-year-old is delighted by Ince's appointment, he is sceptical about whether it will herald a new dawn for black bosses.

His experiences, as well of those of other aspiring black managers like Luther Blissett, have persuaded him that there is not equality of opportunity.

"I believe the situation for black managers is like it was for black players back in the 1970s," he stated.

"Black players used to be put out on the wing because it was deemed they could run fast but not think too well.

"They weren't trusted to be a playmaker in central midfield or to wear the captain's armband.

Now I think there is an analogous situation in management. Chairmen don't believe we can do the top managerial jobs.

"I look at someone like Luther Blissett, who is a former England international and has played abroad at the top level.

"He has been applying for manager's jobs in the Football League for 15 years and not got anywhere. This is all about opportunities."

Although Ince's appointment has been heralded as a major breakthrough for black managers, there is still a dearth of coaches of non-white bosses in the game.

Keith Alexander, who succeeded Ince at Macclesfield, is the only other black manager in the Football League.

Even more startling is the statistic, provided by Warwick Business School, that there are only seven other black coaches of any capacity in the league.

This constitutes only about 1% of the total number of coaches.

Perhaps drawing on his own experiences at Celtic, Barnes says it is unfair to hold Ince up as a pioneer for all black managers.

He said: "If he doesn't succeed, does that count against all black managers? I don't think so, just as if he does succeed it doesn't mean all black managers are good."

Barnes, who is currently working as a television pundit and a part-time scout for Sunderland, says he has the utmost respect for what Ince has achieved.

"He has done things the hard way, proving himself with Macclesfield and MK Dons," commented Barnes. "While Roy Keane and Gareth Southgate were given chances at the top, he went to the bottom club in the league.

"I really hope he can succeed at Blackburn."

Liverpool FC Owners' £100m Credit Crunch

Liverpool’s American owners are facing a major credit crunch backlash over stalled plans to build a new stadium for the Reds.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett may need to put in as much as £100m of their own money if they want to borrow a further £200m.

And that casts massive doubt over their ability to go ahead with the ambition of building the 70,000 seat-plus super stadium, designed by Dallas based architects HKS and rolled out amid a fanfare of publicity last year.

Given the global credit crunch, banks are no longer prepared to allow 100 per cent borrowings and are currently asking for at least one third of the amount needed for major projects to be put up front by would-be borrowers.

Hicks and Gillett bought Liverpool for £220m in February last year – most of it with borrowed cash – and have since refinanced their original loans with a further £350m loan deal, which leaves the club responsible for annual interest payments of around £30m a year.

The Americans, who have become estranged and embittered over recent months, are now on speaking terms again following Gillett’s admission on Friday that they needed to set aside their communications differences for the sake of the club.

But the worldwide clampdown on lending means they would still face huge problems raising the deposit now needed for what is effectively a mortgage to build a new Anfield.

The Dubaian government, headed by Sheik Mohammed al Rashid bin Maktoum, remain keen to buy out the Americans. And, as a sovereign wealth fund, it is claimed that unlike the Americans would to some degree be protected from the interest rates and pressures exerted by banks over private investors.

Reports that the Reds are considering a £15m swoop for Hamburg winger Rafael van der Vaart, meanwhile, are wide of the mark.

Completing Gareth Barry’s transfer from Aston Villa remains Rafa Benitez’s priority, with any future purchases dependent on the sales of Xabi Alonso and Peter Crouch.

Juventus are still short of Liverpool’s valuation of their £16m rated Spanish playmaker, while there has been no contact from Portsmouth – formal or informal – regarding Crouch.

Juve Set To Make Bid For Alonso

Juventus are set to make their first official move for Xabi Alonso this week after the player hinted he fancied a move to Italy.

And Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is hopeful that his £16million valuation will be matched as he continues his quest to maximise his assets to build more transfer funds.

Juve have confirmed their pursuit of the midfielder but have been pondering over their move in light of interest in at least two other players in the same position.

But they have been alerted by Alonso speaking of his “fascination” with Italian football over the weekend and will look to prise him away form Anfield this week, although he is still involved in Euro 2008.

“I have little to say about Juve because at the moment I am very focused on Euro 2008 and on Spain,” said Alonso before his side reached then semi-finals with victory over Italy last night.

“I don’t have any news on my future, at this time my future is only the Euros.

“We’ll see what will happen with Juve. It’s difficult to say today. I spent four fantastic years at Liverpool, but I have to admit that I have always been fascinated by Italian football.

Moore: Benitez Is One Of The Best

Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore has hailed Rafael Benitez as one of the game's managerial greats ahead of the pre-season friendly against Liverpool.

The Reds will cross the River Mersey on Saturday July 12 for a 3pm kick-off which will guarantee a bumper crowd at Prenton Park.

Moore admits he is looking forward to pitting his wits against Benitez, who guided Liverpool to Champions League and FA Cup glory during his first two years in charge at Anfield.

Moore said: "Rafa has done a fantastic job at Liverpool and has proved he is one of the top managers in the world.

"Not many managers have won the Champions League and it will be a pleasure to put my side up against his.

"It's earlier than usual for us to be playing a friendly at home but we wanted to fit in with Liverpool's schedule ahead of their trip to Switzerland."

David Platt Urges Gareth Barry To Join Liverpool FC

Former Aston Villa skipper David Platt has stood by his belief that Gareth Barry should quit the midlands club and move to Liverpool.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill described Platt’s comments as "worthless" when he originally made his stance on Barry known when working as a Sky Sports pundit last month.

But the ex-England midfielder is unbowed and believes Barry has to leave - in the same way Michael Carrick left Tottenham to move to Manchester United two years ago.

Platt said: "Michael Carrick needed to leave and join a big club because it puts bigger demands on you and it is the same with Gareth Barry.

"It’s not necessarily the people within the club but just the level you are playing at and what you are playing for.

"I’ve always said that Michael Carrick was like a Rolls Royce. He needed to put his foot down and have to run to show what it could do - and I’d say the same with Gareth.

"At the moment he can walk into the Aston Villa team. He is guaranteed a place.

"At Liverpool there will be a massive amount of pressure next year. There will be more demands of him at Liverpool than there would be at Villa and he needs to go to reach that level."

Platt, who worked with Barry during his stint as England Under-21 coach, added: "People can get disgruntled about things but it’s just my opinion.

"Martin O’Neill knows more about the Gareth Barry situation than me.

"I’ve got nothing against Martin. He has done exceptionally well and he’s just had a good season with Villa."

Villa have already rejected three bids from Liverpool for Barry whom is rated in the £18 to £20 million bracket by O’Neill although he would prefer the 27-year-old to stay at Villa and sign a new contract.

Xabi Alonso Fuels Speculation Of Move To Italy

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso has spoken of his “fascination” with Italian football as speculation over his mooted transfer to Juventus continues apace.

The Liverpool playmaker is part of the Spain squad preparing to face Italy in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 on Sunday, a match during which Alonso could come face to face with a number of future team-mates at the Bianconeri.

But the 26-year-old couched his enthusiasm for the Italian game by insisting that his transfer from Anfield is still far from a done deal with his focus still solely on Spain’s European campaign.

“I am very calm,” Alonso told Sky Italia.

“I have little to say about Juve because at the moment I am very focused on Euro 2008 and on Spain.

“I don’t have any news on my future, at this time my future is only the Euros.

“We’ll see what will happen with Juve. It’s difficult to say today. I spent four fantastic years at Liverpool, but I have to admit that I have always been fascinated by Italian football.

“However, it’s too soon to talk about the future. In short: we’ll see.”

He added: “Juve are one of the biggest teams in Europe, perhaps the biggest in Italy. They have very many fans not only in Italy but all over the world.

“They have champions of the quality of Buffon, Nedved, and Del Piero who together have achieved great success.

“They’re a team who want to get back to winning the Scudetto and who also want to compete in the Champions League. In short: a great club.”

Harry In No Hurry To Decide Future

Harry Kewell has been linked with a move to Italian giants Roma - but insists he is "in no rush" to decide his future after leaving Liverpool.

The Australian winger is looking for a new club after seeing out his contract at Anfield.

Kewell has been linked with a possible move to Roma, who have already signed his former Reds team-mate John Arne Riise.

The former Leeds man, who featured for Australia in their 1-0 defeat to China on Sunday, says he is in no rush to decide his future

"I'm on holiday for a week or so and then I'll decide my future," Kewell told Fox Sports. "But for now I'm just going to relax.

"In this day and age, clubs take their time. There's a long way to go and a big process to go through, so I'm in no rush."

When asked specifically about Roma, Kewell replied: "It's a beautiful city. I've been there once when I was younger."

Roma’s Riise Sets New Targets, Thanks Liverpool

Norway full-back John Arne Riise has disclosed that he moved to Roma from Liverpool for a “new experience” and also revealed that he is looking forward to playing alongside ‘idol’ Francesco Totti.

The 27-year-old left-back/left-winger joined the Serie A outfit in a reported £4m deal after spending seven years at Anfield.

With Roma having finished runners-up to Inter last season in the Italian league, Riise is keen that Luciano Spalletti’s side finish top of the tree in the next season.

"We start from second place, and in sport you always work for improvement,” Riisie told Tuttosport. “We must make another step forward.

“For sure the city is beautiful, it is hot and the climate is lovely. Indeed at 9am you are already gasping for air.

“I came here to work hard. Roma are a great club. I needed a new experience, to learn another language, and a new culture. I wanted to make a life-change and for this my thanks go to my friends at Liverpool, to my agent, and to Luciano Spalletti.

“I am curious to get to know Totti, a great, an idol and I believe that with him it will be fun.”

Hughes Eyeing Liverpool And Inter Midfielders

New Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is facing a busy summer in the transfer market with Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun and Inter’s Dejan Stankovic reportedly at the top of his shopping list.

Hughes, who took over from Sven Goran Eriksson, at the club recently is keen to rebuild the side as he looks to improve on last season’s ninth place Premier League finish.

The Welshman is reportedly interested in signing Liverpool’s Benayoun who has failed to hold down a regular place in the starting line up since his transfer from West Ham.

Benayoun, 28, cost the Reds £5 million last summer but made only 15 league starts for Liverpool last season and is considered to be surplus to requirements at Anfield as manager Rafael Benitez seeks to raise funds for his own summer spending spree.

Liverpool are believed to want a fee of around £6 million for their Israeli frontman, although Hughes may face competition from Portsmouth who are also reportedly interested in signing Benayoun.

Dejan Stankovic, meanwhile, is another player attracting Hughes’s interest. The Serbian has been at Inter since 2004, however he has reportedly been told by new manager Jose Mourinho that he can leave the club.

The midfielder is likely to cost somewhere in the region of £8 million but would bring some grit and a wealth of experience with him should he make the move to Manchester.

He has forged a successful career in Italy, playing for Lazio and Inter and collecting four Scudetto titles and a Cup Winners Cup medal along the way. Stankovic is also the captain of his country, Serbia, and has 73 international caps to his name.

Rush Tips Babel To Excel

Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes has tipped winger Ryan Babel to be key in Liverpool’s Premiership title challenge next season.

Babel is eager to get back into Premiership action with a bang after recovering from an ankle injury that ruled him out of Euro 2008.

And Kop idol Rush feels that the 21-year old Dutch starlet could have made a major impact for Holland in the European Championships if the ankle ligament damage had not struck.

The former Wales international is certain that Babel will hit back with a bang next season into action once he recovers from his injury and also stated that Babel would be a big threat to any top-flight defence next season.

"I think Babel will get better and better. It's a shame he's missing the championships because the experience would have done him a world of good,” Rush told Reuters.

"I think we'll be looking for him to get more involved next season and play more games. When he runs at defences he's direct and he's a menace. He's big and strong and we'll see progress from Babel if he's back fully fit.

"He's had a year now in the top league in the world and he knows what it's all about, so hopefully he'll keep getting better."

Babel played in 30 Premiership games during his debut season at Anfield, starting 15 and scoring 5 goals.

Johnson Hails AFC Liverpool

David Johnson has hailed the formation of AFC Liverpool and believes the club could prove to be the modern day alternative to the 'boy's pen.'

The former Reds striker feels the new non-league outfit - who will be playing at Prescot Cables' Valerie Park Ground next season in the Vodkat League - will give supporters with children more chance to afford tickets and, most importantly, provide them with an opportunity to learn the 'Liverpool way.'

"I think it is a great idea," he said on LFC TV's This is Anfield show.

"To have an intermediary where Dads can take their lads, and it is to do with Liverpool Football Club and backed by the club is great.

"Too many times, football has moved on where Dads can no longer afford to take the kids, and in my day that was a massive part of learning the Liverpool Way and learning the songs.

"If Dads can go along with kids and can use it as the Boys Pen and learn the Liverpool Way - well thats good for me.

"I am looking to see where I can get a ticket."

AFC Liverpool Chair Alun Parry was delighted to have the support of a Reds legend.

He said: "We are proud to have David Johnson's support and delighted that he wants a ticket to come and watch us.

"We'd like to advise David that our first ever game is vs St Helens on Wed 16 July.

"It's an all ticket match, and tickets are being sold at News From Nowhere Bookstore, Bold Street, Liverpool.

"We're looking forward to seeing him at the game where he will receive the kind of reception that Liverpool legends can expect from staunch Reds like ourselves."

Liverpool FC's Gareth Barry And David Silva Boost

Rafael Benitez has received a double boost in his bid to raise transfer funds for Gareth Barry and David Silva.

Juventus have re-iterated their intention to go for Xabi Alonso after initially being frightened off by his asking price.

And George Gillett hinted there might be more money available in the transfer window as he and co-owner Tom Hicks are fixing their feud.

But Benitez must generate more funds on top of the £4m for John Arne Riise from Roma if he is to land his targets.

However, Juve’s renewed confidence that they will sign Alonso could yield another £15m for the kitty.

The Italians have been previously put off by Liverpool’s £16m price tag but although they have yet to make an official bid, they will to seek a compromise by coming up from their £14m valuation.

Juventus general manager Jean-Claude Blanc said: “Xabi Alonso? It’s an operation that we’re taking forward and we’ll compare him to other deals which could be done. We’re following more than three footballers. We’re looking for a very talented midfielder – there’s not many of those around and some of them aren’t available.

“We have to talk first with the club and then with the player. Only one of these deals will be done.”

With possible sales of Peter Crouch and Scott Carson also lined up, Benitez seems certain to have the funds to meet Aston Villa’s valuation of Barry, with Liverpool likely to need to bid £18m.

Attempts to sign Spanish midfielder David SIlva will be more difficult, however, with the £20m needed to tempt him away from Valencia beyond Benitez’s current means.

But Gillett did indicate that there could be room for negotiation with the manager as he seeks the strengthening needed for a shot at the Premier League next season.

Gillett said: “All of us are focused on the transfer window and we want to be ready for that, and we want to have adequate resources and good communication with Rafa. Our hope is that we’re making better progress.

“What did I think of last season’s performance? I’d rather let the fans make that decision. But for a club that has a history of winning trophies, any season that you don’t win one of the five or six trophies that we compete for, I suspect the fans, as well as the Hicks and Gilletts, are disappointed.

“But overall I felt that the team played quite well, particularly beginning and late. I think they were very representative and I think (Fernando) Torres was a wonderful selection.

“By summer, I think the rest of the boys played quite well and we have to help Rafa try and be more competitive in the chase for the Premier League.

“It’s fair to say that communication between the Hicks and the Gilletts has been substantially improved and I believe that it will be for the benefit of the club,” said Gillett, whose stance was backed up by sources close to Hicks last night.

He added: “I believe that the Hicks family are communicating better with us and we’re communicating better with them and I think that will be much better for the club.”

Gillett refused to confirm whether this meant he no longer wanted to sell his half of the club to DIC.

Ian Urges Reds To Rush For Villa

Liverpool legend Ian Rush has voiced the sentiment of millions of Reds fans worldwide by saying that he would love to team see Spain's exhilarating strike-tandem of David Villa and Fernando Torres team up at Anfield next year.

Although the Merseyside outfit have recently denied any interest in the white-hot Valencia striker, Rush is convinced that the 26-year-old would be a great addition, even though he would surely cost the club an arm and a leg.

“There’s obviously the financial side of things, but I’d love to see David Villa at Liverpool along with Fernando Torres,” said Rush.

“They combine very well for Spain, they’ve got a good understanding of each other and in an ideal world you’d love to see Villa partner Torres at Anfield as he does for Spain.”

Villa, who currently leads the Euro 2008 scoring charts, has especially been linked with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea and figures of anywhere up to €40m have been mentioned.

In any case, Rush believes that the Reds will be in need of striking reinforcement if Peter Crouch completes his expected departure from Anfield this summer.

“If he stays then fair enough, he gives Liverpool a different option, but we need someone to help Torres out,” Rush concluded.

Fixture List Is Reason For Liverpool To Be Cheerful

It might not have been a blank cheque from the club’s warring American owners but Rafa Benitez must still have been pleasantly surprised with the gift which arrived on the day he celebrated his fourth anniversary as Liverpool manager this week.

The Reds may have to travel on the opening day of the Premier League season for the fifth successive campaign but there was little else to complain about when the fixture computer produced its annual offering.

A trip to Roy Keane’s Sunderland on Saturday, August 16 followed by a home clash with Middlesbrough undoubtedly gives the Reds a great chance to get off to a flyer.

And a glance at his side's fixtures following Champions League matches and international breaks also made good reading for Benitez, especially when compared to those handed to Manchester United.

England play a meaningless friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley on Wednesday, August 20 but while the Reds plan to entertain Boro the following Saturday, Alex Ferguson must take his side to face FA Cup holders Portsmouth.

In early September the domestic season is interrupted for a fortnight as England begin their World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia.

When it resumes on September 13 - just three days after England have played in Zagreb - the Reds take on United at Anfield in the first battle of the campaign between the 'Big Four'.

As long as the Reds have safely negotiated their way past the qualifying round in August, attention will then turn to the first round of matches in the group stage of the Champions League.

But while United complete a gruelling seven days after their opening European match with a crunch trip to Chelsea, the Reds have the seemingly more straightforward task of entertaining new boys Stoke City.

The Reds' matches following the other five rounds in the Champions League group stage would be Manchester City (away), Chelsea (away), West Brom (home), West Ham (home) and Hull (home).

In contrast United are on their travels after every round of the Champions League with further away days at Blackburn, Everton, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham.

Post European fatigue could just be a telling factor.

On top of that, United's matches against Fulham on August 30 and Wigan on December 20 will need to be re-arranged due to their commitments in the European Super Cup and World Club Championship.

Ferguson, who received the news of the fixtures at his holiday home in the south of France this week, will undoubtedly be deeply unimpressed with his side's schedule.

Benitez has frequently complained about the short time he gets to work with his players after internationals but the Reds are also winners when it comes to Premier League matches following international breaks early next season.

After England's double-header with Kazakhstan and Belarus in October, the Reds resume domestic duty at home to Wigan the following Saturday and United entertain West Brom.

Similarly, after the friendly against Germany in Berlin on November 19, the Reds host Fulham, while United hit the road for a tricky trip to Aston Villa.

Chelsea and Arsenal also have three away games straight after international fixtures.

Benitez's only concern now will be the number of times Sky ask his players to kick off at lunchtime.

It happened nine times in the Premier League last season and was a source of great frustration for the Anfield boss.

However, even that logistical problem should be eased by the fact that so often after European and international games, the Reds will benefit from home advantage this time around.

Of course, it will all count for little if Liverpool toss away points at Anfield as carelessly as they did last season.

But for a manager who prides himself on the small details, Benitez will know that lady luck has smiled on his side ahead of the 2008-09 campaign.

Juventus Still Keen On Xabi Alonso

JUVENTUS general manager Jean-Claude Blanc is still confident of signing Xabi Alonso - despite the Spanish midfielder insisting yesterday he is planning for life at Anfield next season.

Liverpool have been holding out for a transfer fee of 20m euros (£15.75m) for the playmaker, and with Juve struggling to come up with the cash Alonso admitted he was in the dark about his future.

But Blanc still believes Alonso will be at the Stadio Olimpico next season, but claims the Bianconeri also have their eye on other midfielders.

"We're following more than three footballers," Blanc told Sky Italia. "And we'll see if what you read in the papers comes true or the other names we're working on.

"Xabi Alonso? It's an operation that we're taking forward and we'll compare him to other deals which could be done.

"We're looking for a very talented midfielder - there's not many of those around and some of them aren't available. We have to talk first with the club and then with the player.

"Only one of these deals will be done."

Liverpool, meanwhile, will kick-off their pre-season programme with a friendly against cross-river neighbours Tranmere just a week after returning to pre-season training.

A Reds squad will travel to Prenton Park on July 12, 2008 - the first time Liverpool have faced Rovers since the sides met at Prenton Park in an FA Cup quarter-final in 2001.

The last friendly between Liverpool and Tranmere took place in July 1993.

Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore said: "This is a mouth-watering opportunity for our players to test themselves against some world class opposition who have played at the very top level.

"It's a game I know both sets of supporters will look forward to and I'm sure there will be a bumper crowd.

“There are plenty of Tranmere fans who will want to see their team take on some of the best players in the world and Wirral-based Liverpool fans who have the opportunity to see their team in action playing a local club.

"Hopefully it will be a game everybody will enjoy.It should be a fantastic occasion and it is a great way to start our pre-season campaign.

"Rafa has done a fantastic job at Liverpool and has proved he's one of the top managers in the world. It will be a pleasure to put my side up against his.

"It's earlier than usual for us to be playing a friendly at home but we wanted to fit in with Liverpool's schedule."

Liverpool's confirmed pre-season programme so far is now as follows: July 12: v Tranmere Rovers (Prenton Park), July 16: v FC Lucerne (Grenchen), July 19: v Wisla Krakow (Friborg), July 22: v Hertha Berlin (Berlin), July 30: v Villarreal (Villarreal), Aug 2: v Rangers (Glasgow).

Thompson Hails Lee's Reds Move

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes bringing Sammy Lee back into the coaching set-up at Anfield could prove the club's best summer signing.

After playing in the same Liverpool teams as Thompson from the late 70s into the 80s, Lee later replaced his former captain as reserve team boss in 1993.

When Thompson returned to the club alongside Gerard Houllier five years later, Lee moved up to become first team coach before leaving Anfield following the arrival of Rafa Benitez in 2004.

"I don't care who comes in on the playing side, I'm not so sure anyone will better Sammy coming back to Liverpool," Thompson told LFC Magazine. "There's so much to be gained by him coming back. For me, he could be the best signing of the summer.

"I am delighted Sammy is back. In fact I never wanted him to leave in the first place. When I departed my position as assistant manager I expressed my belief that Sammy should have taken the role alongside Rafa.

"But Rafa wanted to bring in his own people, which I fully understand. I just thought it would have been a step in the right direction to appoint Sammy. It didn't happen and he moved on."

Parry Days Numbered As Hicks And Gillett Get Back In Bed

Tom Hicks and George Gillett are slowly making friends in what could not only be a worrying sign for DIC, Liverpool fans worldwide and most of all Rick Parry.

Rick Parry was asked to resign earlier this year by Tom Hicks but George Gillett’s casting vote gave the man a stay of execution.

George Gillett was adamant that he would not be selling his stake to Tom Hicks who wants to take full control of the football club after revealing that ‘most fans don’t want me to do it’.

However speaking to a Canadian radio station, Gillett admitted the relationship was warming, slowly:

“Time is a healer and there were things that had happened previously. It took a while for both of us to realise that we weren’t communicating very well and the huge responsibility we have to the fans to do the right thing for the club.

“I believe that the Hicks family are communicating better with us and we’re communicating better with them and I think that will be much better for the club.

“All of us are focused on the transfer window and we want to be ready for that and we want to have adequate resources and good communication with Rafa and our hope is that we’re making better progress.”

Xabi Alonso Unsure About His Future At Liverpool

Xabi Alonso hopes to have played his way into the plans of Luis Aragonés, the Spain coach, for the European Championship quarter-final against Italy in Vienna on Sunday, but the midfield player remains in the dark about his future at club level, with Liverpool attempting to negotiate his sale to Juventus.

Alonso's agent, Iñaki Ibáñez, has held talks with Juventus over the past fortnight, but the player, who signed a five-year contract with Liverpool last summer, suggested yesterday that he would be happy to stay at Anfield. The situation is complicated, however, by Liverpool's financial position, which means that Rafael Benítez, having already offloaded John Arne Riise to AS Roma, is under pressure to sell Alonso to finance his bid to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

“At the moment, I'm a Liverpool player and I am just focusing on the Euros,” Alonso said. “You will have to ask Liverpool what is happening. I have four more years of my contract and my plans are to start next season with Liverpool unless there is a change. I can't really say any more. It's between the two clubs.”

Alonso was happier to discuss the challenge that Spain face against Italy. Having sat out the first two games in the tournament, the midfield player pressed his claims with an outstanding performance in the 2-1 win over Greece on Thursday, winning the man-of-the-match award, but, whether or not he starts, he knows that his team face a difficult task against Italy, who make a habit of reaching top form during the knockout stages.

“It's going to be tough,” Alonso said. “It isn't the first time that Italy have struggled to get through the group. In 1982, they did the same in the World Cup in Spain and from then they were spectacular in the knockout stages.”

George Gillett Jr And Tom Hicks Try To Patch Up Differences At Liverpool

George Gillett Jr says that he and Tom Hicks, his embattled Liverpool co-owner, are attempting to patch up their relationship for the good of the club.

In an interview with a Canadian radio station, Gillett has claimed that communication between the pair is improving, with both men determined to help the club become more competitive in next season's Premier League.

“It’s fair to say that communication between the Hicks and the Gilletts has been substantially improved and I believe that it will be for the benefit of the club," Gillett said. “Time is a healer and there were things that had happened previously.

"It took a while for both of us to realise that we weren’t communicating very well and the huge responsibility we have to the fans to do the right thing for the club.

“I believe that the Hicks family are communicating better with us and we’re communicating better with them and I think that will be much better for the club.”

The relationship between the men broke down when Gillett refused to sell his 50 per cent stake to Hicks. Gillett had instead wanted to discuss a deal with Dubai International Capital (DIC), the private equity investment arm of the Arab state. Hicks vetoed the move, resulting in an impasse between the owners.

Gillett refused to discuss whether he was still hoping to sell his shares, preferring to iterate his desire to back Rafael Benitez, the club's manager, in the transfer market.

He said: “All of us are focused on the transfer window and we want to be ready for that and we want to have adequate resources and good communication with Rafa and our hope is that we’re making better progress."

When asked for his appraisal of Liverpool's performance last season, he said: "I would rather let the fans make that decision. But for a club that has a history of winning trophies, any season that you don’t win one of the five or six trophies that we compete for, I suspect the fans, as well as the Hicks and Gilletts, are disappointed.

“But overall I felt that the team played quite well, particularly beginning and late. I think they were very representative and I think Torres was a wonderful selection.

“By summer I think the rest of the boys played quite well and we have to help Rafa try and be more competitive in the chase for the Premiership.”