Torres Tipped To Match Henry

Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has told Fernando Torres that he is still not as good as Thierry Henry at his best, but could get there in time.

Torres was the match-winner for Spain in the Euro 2008 final as he latched onto a Xavi pass and finished expertly past Lehmann.

Lehmann has been impressed by the Liverpool striker but feels there is still room for improvement.

Lehmann believes Henry is the greatest striker of recent times, having played with the Frenchman at Arsenal.

"I played in the same team as Thierry Henry, who was like a god," said the 38-year-old shot-stopper.

"There is still a difference. Torres could get there, but it takes a while."

Christoph Metzelder had a torrid time against Torres in Vienna and the Germany defender agrees that he is one of the most difficult forwards in the game to come up against.

"There are many good strikers - it's difficult to say who the best is," said Metzelder.

Alonso Puts Future Plans On Hold

Juventus target Xabi Alonso's future is no closer to being sorted out and there is unlikely to be any developments in this regard within the next fortnight.

When pressed on the whether he was still looking to leave Liverpool in the summer, the 26-year-old responded that all he wants to do now is take a rich deserved break to reflect on Spain's magnificent Euro sucesss with his family.

"I've no idea [what the future holds]. Right now I'm just thinking about going on holiday, sitting back and relaxing," he was quoted as saying in Guillem Balague's official website.

"We all need time to sit back and think about what we achieved and to take it all in.

"I'll be able to think about all that has gone on and what's going to happen regarding my future later on.

"We'll see what happens when I get back."

The Spanish midfielder has been heavily linked with the Turin giants since the end of last season, but his proposed move has been stuck in limbo since with neither team able to make any real progress while he was in active duty for his country in Euro 2008.

Reds Eye Wantaway Juninho

Liverpool have been tentatively linked with a move for disgruntled Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Juninho Pernambucano.

Juninho recently told l’Equipe that he may leave Stade Gerland this summer, as he is less than satisfied with Lyon’s decision to sack Alain Perrin as coach and hire Claude Puel in his stead.

And rumours have sprung up that Reds boss Rafa Benitez is willing to pay ₤3million to bring the 33-year-old to Anfield.

The Brazilian playmaker may not have youth on his side, but he is nonetheless regarded as one of Europe’s pre-eminent attacking midfielders and arguably the finest free-kick taker in the world.

While all reports at this stage are little more than mere speculation, the former Selecao star could be seen as an ideal mentor for his young compatriot Lucas Leiva and, of course, the solution to Liverpool's inconsistency from dead-ball situations.

Rafa To Rest Spanish Stars

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will give the club's Spanish contingent an extended holiday after their efforts at EURO 2008.

Reds striker Fernando Torres was the hero for Spain on Sunday, his first-half strike against Germany leading La Furia Roja to their second European Championship crown.

The ex-Atletico Madrid hitman was one of four Liverpudlians in Luis Aragones' title-winning squad, alongside Xabi Alonso, Jose Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa.

And Benitez revealed he will allow his compatriots an extra three weeks to recover from their exploits in Austria and Switzerland before summoning them to rejoin the squad for pre-season training.

"We have about 18 back today, then some of the internationals will be back in the next week," he told the club's official website. "The four Spanish players should be back in three weeks."

Liverpool Yet To Make New Gareth Barry Offer

Liverpool have still yet to make an improved bid for Gareth Barry after Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill admitted that his unsettled captain could move to Anfield if Rafael Benitez met their valuation for the England midfielder.

An increased offer of around £18million is now expected to be enough to end the long-running transfer saga and prise Barry away from the Midlands club but despite Benitez and several members of his squad returning to Melwood yesterday, Liverpool are still plotting their next and likely to be decisive, move.

O’Neill has hit back in his row with Barry and told him he is free to join Liverpool – for the right price – after the 27-year-old claimed the Ulsterman had not done enough to convince him that he was wanted.

However, O’Neill responded to his player’s verbal attack yesterday by saying: “The chairman and I were surprised at Gareth’s comments.

“Contrary to what he said, we desperately wanted to keep him – and he knows that.

“We asked both Gareth and his agent to consider what had been discussed at our meeting which included a variety of options to incentivise the player.

“But Gareth came back from England international duty in June and reiterated his intention to join Liverpool and he told me so.

“Liverpool’s valuation of Gareth has been consistently well short of our own and at the moment remains so.

“But if they meet our valuation, Gareth will get his expressed wish to leave. Until then, he remains an Aston Villa player.”

Liverpool’s pursuit of Barry depends on whether they can raise funds by offloading some of their fringe players and Portsmouth have insisted that they remain in the hunt to bring Peter Crouch back to Fratton Park despite having a £9million bid rejected last week.

Chief executive Peter Storrie said: “Harry (Redknapp) has made it clear he wants Peter Crouch. He’s the sort of quality we want to add to the team.

“We have made a fair bid for him and that was turned down but we are still interested.

“It’s now the case that we have made known our position and Liverpool have made known theirs – we will see what happens after that. This is not the end of it.

“We are still interested, he’s a quality player.”

However, reports that Harry Kewell whose contract with Liverpool expires today could be set for a move to the FA Cup winners have been dismissed.

Storrie said: “As for Kewell, that is two years out of date. Back then we were interested and then he had that bad injury. That was the end of that. Nothing’s happening now, though.”

One new arrival confirmed at Anfield yesterday is former Liverpool player Mauricio Pellegrino who has returned to the club where he made 12 appearances in 2005 as first team coach.

Benitez, who also worked with the Argentinian at Valencia, from whom he arrives again having been working as youth team coach, said: “His role will be first-team coach, and he’ll also carry out specialist training sessions.

“He can also work specifically with the defence, and also the reserves.

“Pellegrino has a winning mentality. He won the Intercontinental Cup before going to Spain with Barcelona and Valencia.

“He has a lot of passion.

“When I asked him to come he was very pleased, but first he wanted to find out if there was a school where his three children could play good football. He is a football man.”

Liverpool FC Chief Rick Parry Determined To Stay Put

Liverpool FC chief executive Rick Parry yesterday said he still saw his future at “the best club in the world” as he picked up an honorary degree.

Parry donned a cap and gown yesterday to pick up his honour from the University of Liverpool.

The football executive, a Liverpool maths graduate in 1976, was awarded an honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws at a ceremony at the Philharmonic Hall.

Parry came under fire earlier this year from American LFC co-owner Tom Hicks, who called on him to resign for under-performing in his stewardship of the club, but the chief executive said he loves LFC and sees his future with the club.

He said: “I’m looking forward to working with Rafael (Benitez) and helping improve on last season’s result.

“Our standards are very high, as is the standard our fans demand. Winning the league, that’s the prize we’re all striving for.”

He added: “I have very fond memories of Liverpool University and I’ve seen it from both sides, seeing all the new graduates outside I can recognise what they’ve been through.

“It’s a day for them, not for me.”

Parry, 53, has had a varied and successful career since his first job as a trainee chartered accountant in 1976.

He was instrumental in planning the new Premier League and was appointed chief executive in February 1992.

His plans for the league were ratified seven days later by the Football Association allowing Parry to negotiate a television deal then worth a record £214m.

As chief executive he oversaw the development of the league into the international hotbed it is today, developing top stadiums and attracting worldwide football stars.

An unashamed Liverpool FC fan since his school days at Ellesmere Port Grammar School, he was appointed chief executive of the club in July, 1998, by the then chairman David Moores.

Speaking to the Daily Post ahead of his ceremony yesterday, Parry said it was a great honour to receive the degree in “his favourite city in the world.”

He said: “It’s a great honour being given the degree from the university I attended in the best city in the world.

“It’s really very special and was such a shock and surprise when they told me. I studied hard for three years for my degree, but I haven’t had to do any work at all for this one.

“When people ask me about my career I’ve never thought about it, I’m always looking forward, football never stops to pause and think.

“There have always been a lot of other people involved in everything I do and it’s been a privilege to have 10 years at the best club in the world.

“Being involved in the formation of the Premier League was exciting and great fun. It was a challenge, times have moved on and it’s fiercely competitive. The fact there were three English teams in the Champions League semi-finals shows the strength of the English formation.”

In response to critics of overpaid Premier League footballers and fans priced out by rising ticket prices, Parry said football had to move with the times.

He said: “I remember years ago people wanted football to stop, to keep everything as it was then, but it has to keep moving forward.

“It’s getting even more competitive, even more difficult, that is the way and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.”

Transfer Talk: Liverpool's 2008/9 Prospects

Liverpool’s season was marred by an internal war between manager, shareholders and owners. All eyes went from watching the football to round the clock analysis of the goings on between Rafa Benitez and the Liverpool board.

Anfield seemed to be in turmoil in April with co-owner Tom Hicks reportedly asking Rick Parry to hand in his resignation. Turmoil began as George Gillet admitted he was happy to sell his share of the club – this sparked a repeated interest from Dubai International Capital to take control of Gillet’s share – Hicks meanwhile was working on raising enough capital to buy-out his partner.

All this was going on as Liverpool prepared themselves for their Champions League semi-final against Chelsea – their third appearance in the last four stage in four seasons under Benitez.

Benitez’s position was further undermined when the media reported that former Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann had been approached as the Spaniard’s replacement – emergency talks were arranged, and as the season came to and end Benitez’s job was as safe again.

As every season, Liverpool will go in to the next campaign talking of a genuine title challenge but it is clear that investment in the playing staff is required to make that ring true for once.

Manager:

Rafa Benitez

Benitez has been with Liverpool since 2004 replacing Gerard Houllier. Much like the team he coached previously at Valencia, Benitez has struggled with a talented squad who persistently seem to under perform. European success and domestic cups have edeared him to the fans and hinted at what can be achieved but for all at Anfield winning the Premier League becomes more important the longer they go withoutn doing it.

Benitez is a football man - some would say football obsessive - and his constant search for the right balance in the team has yet to yeild a satisfactory solution with Liverpool.


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Last season:

4th - 76 points


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The pot:

Rafa Benitez is reported to have ‘demanded’ £50 million from Hicks and Gillet in a bid to bring three major signings to Anfield next season. This is something the manager has denied. Liverpool’s finances do not appear all that healthy however; their asking price for Peter Crouch has been branded too high by Harry Redknapp, and their persistent bids to bring Gareth Barry to the club reveal their inability to provide excessive funds. With a new stadium to finance as well Benitez may have to cut his cloth a bit more cleverly than the rest fo the big four if he is to compete for signings.


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What they want / need:

Liverpool need width. At least two wide players with pace and the ability to beat a man would add massively to a side that is central midfield heavy. Also, a decent strike partner for Fernando Torres is essential, despite his best efforts as a lone front man last season.


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Who their targets are:

Liverpool are expected to make a fourth offer for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, reports suggest they hope to close a deal in the coming days. They are also targeting Valencia - said to be cash-strapped - in a bid to land David Silva. The departure of John Arne Riise to Roma also makes way for Liverpool to sign Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena for £7m.


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Special One:

Having already made three bids for Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry it seems the midfielder is Benitez’s top priority.


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Expect to see:

More boardroom turmoil.


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Don't expect to see:

A title challenge

O'Neill - Barry Can Leave

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has conceded that Gareth Barry will be allowed to fulfil his wish to join Liverpool, so long as The Reds meet the club's valuation of the player.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is keen to land England international Barry, who on Sunday reiterated his desire to play UEFA Champions League football, as he looks to bolster his midfield ahead of the 2008/09 season.

However, the Anfield club have failed in their previous attempts to secure Barry's services, despite upping their offer earlier this month.

O'Neill has remained adamant that the club are desperate to retain their captain, but has now admitted Barry will be granted permission to leave - for the right price.

"The chairman and I were surprised at Gareth's comments," O'Neill told The Sun.

"Contrary to what he said, we desperately wanted to keep him - and he knows that.

"But if Liverpool meet our valuation, Gareth will get his expressed wish to leave. Until then, he remains an Aston Villa player."

Liverpool's latest offer was reportedly in the region of £15million, but rumours claim Villa are holding out for a fee of £18million.

Anfield Is The Only Place For Me, Insists Gareth Barry

GARETH BARRY insists that his future lies at Anfield because Liverpool want him more than Aston Villa and claims that Martin O’Neill’s lack of support is driving him closer to a move.

Villa are stubbornly trying to get as large a fee as possible for their unsettled captain and have already rejected three bids from Liverpool so far this summer.

Manager O’Neill is furious with the way Liverpool have conducted their pursuit of the player in the public arena and has cut off all contact with the Anfield outfit, leaving negotiations in the hands of chairman Randy Lerner’s assistant, Paul Faulkner.

But it is a lack of dialogue between O’Neill and himself that has apparently upset Barry.

O’Neill has been appearing as a regular pundit on BBC television’s coverage of the European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland over the past three weeks and despite the Ulsterman insisting that he wants Barry to stay, the player insists he has not heard from his manager during this period.

He said: “My mind’s made up, I want to join Liverpool.

“There’s no going back, it’s time for me to move on. I’m desperate to play Champions League football and that’s why I have to leave Villa. Villa kept saying they wanted me to stay, but I have not heard from the manager for weeks.

“It’s seven weeks now since the season finished, but while the gaffer’s found time to be a pundit for the BBC at Euro 2008, he hasn’t found the time to speak to me.”

In contrast, Barry claims that Liverpool’s high-profile chase for his signature shows just how wanted he is at Anfield.

He said: “Rafa Benitez has shown how much he wants me at Anfield. I am obviously flattered that someone as successful as Rafa Benitez thinks so highly of me.

“And that he’s not been afraid to put his valuation of me in black and white for Villa and all the world to see.

“But have Villa offered me anything to try to persuade me my future is at Villa Park, not Anfield? Not a thing.”

Barry is eager to push a move through this week to spare him having to return to pre-season training with O’Neill’s side but after more than a decade of service to the Midlands club, he hopes the Villa supporters can understand the reasons behind his desire for a transfer as he looks to test himself in Champions League football.

He said: “I hope the Villa fans understand. I have given my all for the club for 10 years and I’m only leaving because now I need to test myself at the very highest level.

“And I can honestly say if Villa were in the Champions League I wouldn’t even consider leaving this great club.”

Rafa Benitez Set To Ring Changes At Anfield

MAURICIO PELLEGRINO is poised to return to Anfield as Rafael Benitez attempts to bring Robbie Keane to Merseyside.

Argentinian Pellegrino, 36, who played 12 games for Liverpool in 2005, has been approached by Benitez for a second stint at the club, this time as part of his coaching staff.

Liverpool are also trying to prise Keane, 27, away from Tottenham Hotspur in a swap deal involving Peter Crouch.

Anfield insiders have confirmed that Benitez's interest in the Republic of Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer is genuine, but admit that it could prove difficult to reach an agreement with the north London club.

Keane, who netted 23 goals last season, is a big favourite with the White Hart Lane supporters, who voted him their player of the year having helped inspire Spurs to a Carling Cup victory.

Pellegrino's expected arrival will be part of Benitez's rebuilding of his backroom staff after a couple of high-profile departures.

The Spaniard's partnership with long-time assistant Pako Ayesteran ended last season.

Although the 45-year-old fitness expert's contract at Anfield doesn't officially end until today, he has not been present at Melwood for several months.

Ayesteran, who has been linked with several coaching positions both in England and Europe, also worked with Benitez at Tenerife and Valencia.

Former first team coach Alex Miller also left at the end of the season, to become manager of Japanese club JEF United Chiba, ending his nine-year association with Liverpool, having been brought in by former manager Gerard Houllier as chief European scout.
Benitez has already brought another former Liverpool player and staff member back to the club in Sammy Lee, who has been appointed assistant manager having worked as coach under Houllier. Although Pellegrino, who is back at Valencia as youth team coach, only played 12 games for Liverpool in the second half of the 2004/05 season and was generally considered to have lacked enough pace to adjust to the Premier League game, he was always a big favourite with Benitez.

The pair had great success together at the Mestalla - winning two Spanish titles - and Benitez remains adamant that it was Pellegrino's run-outs during his short spell on Merseyside that enabled Sami Hyypia to stay fresh ahead of Liverpool's Champions League final victory.

Meanwhile, Anthony Le Tallec has finally formally ended his Liverpool career by signing for French First Division club Le Mans UC 72.

The 23-year-old, who can operate either as an attacking midfielder or striker, has spent the past four seasons away from Anfield out on loan at St Etienne (2004-05), Sunderland (2005-06), Sochaux (2006-07) and Le Mans (2007-08).

Starting his career with Le Harve, Le Tallec impressed former Liverpool manager Houllier at the World Under-17 Championship in 2001 and arrived at Anfield two years later alongside Florent Sinama-Pongolle. However, neither player was able to hold down a regular first team place and Le Tallec made just 17 appearances for Liverpool.

Riera Requests Transfer - Report

El Mundo Deportivo reports that Espanyol winger Albert Riera has made formal his determination to leave Montjuïc this summer.

It comes as no surprise that the Spanish international has sent in a transfer request as various European clubs look to secure his services.

Furthermore, Riera has personal reasons for wishing to leave. As he told the media after Espanyol's disastroud second half of the season, he was hurt by the banners from fans that read: "Stay on vacation. We won't be in Europe, and you won't be at the Euros."

While he then informally signalled his intention to leave, president Daniel Sánchez Llibre stated that he would be going nowhere unless his €24m release clause was met.

Riera, then, has set his agent about finding him a new club of considerable financial wherewithal - a search that continues. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be among those interested.

Striker Luís García, too, could be on the way out as his agent begins to make preliminary enquiries about a move elsewhere.

Rafa: Torres Proved Critics Wrong

Rafa Benitez has spoken of his pride after Fernando Torres confounded his critics to fire Spain to their first major honour since 1964.

The Liverpool boss admits certain sections of the Spanish press were critical of the striker's performances in Euro 2008.

However, El Nino's winning goal against Germany on Sunday night has made him a national hero – and Benitez believes the strike will be talked about for decades to come.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I am very proud, especially after he has been criticised from some journalists in Spain.

"Everyone remembers the Marcelino goal from 44 years ago, and the last final Spain were in was 24 years ago. Now people will talk about Torres in the same way."

Benitez watched the goal from the comfort of his sofa, from where he was in no doubt the best team won.

"Spain played well. For 10 minutes at the start of each half Germany were pressing, but after that Spain controlled the game," he said.

"The first goal changed the game. After that Metzelder pushed forward and Torres was left one versus one. Spain could play on the counter and that was important.

"They had three or four players in the middle with real quality and played good football."

Torres and Spanish counterparts Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina will now be given three weeks' rest before returning to Melwood ahead of the new campaign.

Rafa Gets Tough: Only Winners Wanted Here

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is only seeking summer transfer targets who can help the club foster a winning mentality.

Benitez told Liverpool's official website that the players he'll bring to Anfield this summer must be winners.

The Spaniard has made it clear that, like just about every Liverpool fan, he wants more than anything to bring the domestic League title back to Anfield. Liverpool hold the record for most English title successes - 18 - but haven't been crowned champions since the 1989-90 season, and have seen arch-rivals Manchester United lift their tally from seven to 17 in the meantime. It means the Reds have never been title winners in the Premiership era.

That glaring omission eats at the soul of every Liverpool fan - and club captain Steven Gerrard is no different. He has stressed that he will consider his career unfulfilled if he cannot count at least one Premier League winner’s medal among his haul by the time he retires from playing.

And Benitez is also clear that winning the League is the one that matters most to him now, having already achieved European glory.

"Winning the title would be the biggest achievement of my career," said the manager. "It's more difficult than in Spain because teams here spend big money.

"But we will do our best. The key for me is not to talk about winning the title but to talk about doing a good job so we can be close, so we can be contenders.

"If we are close I think that we can win the title."

So far only Philipp Degen has been added to the squad at Anfield, though Benitez has several players in his sights. However, he stressed that anyone he brings in must be a winner.

“The key, though, is to sign the right players with the right mentality – a winning mentality – competitive players, players who are desperate to come here to win something,” he told liverpoolfc.tv.

"That is the key for me. We have been analysing a lot of things this summer. For example, we were conceding a lot of goals last season from set pieces.

"We need to know why because the previous season we only conceded six, but this year it has been 16. We need to know why so we can improve in these areas, but keep the team scoring goals in open play.

"We have been really good in defence for three or four years but we need to improve a little bit if we want to be in contention."

Liverpool Keen On Robbie

Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane has emerged as a transfer target for Liverpool, according to a report in the News of the World.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is reportedly keen on bringing the striker to Anfield to partner Fernando Torres up front as the Reds go in search of their first Premier League title.

According to the paper Liverpool are willing to offer Tottenham a massive £20 million for Keane and are happy to throw in Peter Crouch as part of the deal too.

Keane, 27, joined Spurs from Leeds in 2002 and is the club captain at White Hart Lane. His current partnership with Dimitar Berbatov is one of the most prolific in the Premier League, both players netting 23 goals each last season for Tottenham.

The Irishman has enjoyed a successful last season at Spurs, winning his first major competition, the Carling Cup, with the club and also scoring his 100th Premier League goal and his 100th goal for Tottenham.

However, with Berbatov expected to leave the club this summer in search of Champions League football, it is unlikely the club will also want to let the talismanic Keane leave as well, hence the offer of Peter Crouch as part of the deal.

Crouch has been widely linked with a move away from Liverpool after failing to cement a regular place in the starting line up at Anfield. The striker managed only nine league starts for Liverpool last season although he did end the season with five Premier League goals to his name.

Whilst Crouch is rumoured to want to leave the club in search of regular football and to improve his international prospects, manager Rafael Benitez is clearly reluctant to let him go and has reportedly already rejected approaches by Portsmouth for the striker.

Martinez Criticises Anderson Snub

Swansea boss Roberto Martinez has questioned Paul Anderson's loyalty after the winger snubbed a return to the Swans to join Nottingham Forest.

The Liverpool man impressed during his season's loan spell at Swansea last term and Martinez was willing to pay £100,000 for a second 12-month loan.

Spaniard Martinez said: "Everyone knows being grateful or loyality in football does not exist anymore."

The deal for the 20-year-old midfielder should be finalised over the weekend.

Martinez continued: "We are proud to be involved in the development of a player that no-one wanted 12 months ago who now has six or seven choices.

"We are delighted how he adapted as we allowed him to enjoy his football, that's why he has enjoyed a lot of interest from clubs this summer."

Anderson, Swansea's young player of the year in their League One title-winning season, will link up with his new Forest team-mates on Tuesday.

He told Forest's website: "I enjoyed last season at Swansea but after speaking to Forest I just felt it was the right move for me."

Should Rafa Go After German Striker?

With Rafa Benitez reportedly on the look out for a foil to play alongside Fernando Torres next season, and names such as David Villa being bandied about by the press, one striker who could be available for the right price has confirmed he is thinking about a move from his present club.

Lukas Podolski, Bayern Munich's free-scoring German international has admitted that he may have to find himself a new club once the European Championships are over, after a season playing second fiddle to Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni at the Allianz Arena. Podolski told German newspaper Sport Bild:

"I will tackle this subject after the European championships. I will have enough time on holiday to think about my situation and I will make a decision on my future then.

"I have made it clear to him (new Bayern manager Jurgen Klinsmann) that I am unhappy with my situation in Munich. He knows what he has in me. He has even said that he understands my problems. We shall sit down together after the Euro and see what happens."

With the ever-popular (yeh right!) Tom Hicks and George Gillett understood to be close friends with Herr Klinsmann, maybe there's a chance that if Rafa does express an interest in Podolski they could help broker a deal. But maybe this time they could talk to Rafa before making contact with the German...

Can Rafa Bring Us The Title Next Season?

Rafa Benitez has revealed that winning the Premiership title with Liverpool would be his greatest achievement as a football manager.

Speaking to the club website, Benitez admitted that despite winning two La Liga titles during his time at Valencia and the Champions League in his first season at Anfield, winning the league in England is a bigger and more difficult challenge than any other.

He said: "Winning the title would be the biggest achievement of my career. It's more difficult than in Spain because teams here spend big money.

"We will do our best. The key is not to talk about winning the title but to talk about doing a good job so we can be close, so we can be contenders. If we are close I think that we can win the title."

"The key is to sign the right players with the right mentality - a winning mentality - competitive players, players who are desperate to come here to win something.

"That is the key for me. We have been analysing a lot of things this summer. For example, we were conceding a lot of goals last season from set pieces. We need to know why because the previous season we only conceded six, but this year it has been 16. We need to know why so we can improve in these areas, but keep the team scoring goals in open play.

"We have been really good in defence for three or four years but we need to improve a little bit if we want to be in contention."

But what do you think? Can next season be the year that the title finally comes back to Merseyside after almost two decades of watching the Mancs and the capital clubs' hauding domestic glory?

Barry: It's Time For Me To Move On

Gareth Barry remains desperate to join Liverpool and has blasted Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill for making no effort to persuade him to stay.

The England midfielder has made no secret of his desire for the regular Champions League football on offer at Anfield.

But despite his pleas to the Villa hierarchy to allow him to leave, the Midlanders have remained entrenched and rejected a reported £15million bid from the Reds earlier this month.

Barry told the News of the World: "My mind's made up, I want to join Liverpool.

"There's no going back, it's time for me to move on. I'm desperate to play Champions League football and that's why I have to leave Villa."

O'Neill has been openly critical of Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez over his pursuit of the Villa skipper.

But despite O'Neill's public posturing, a scornful Barry insists nothing has been done to get him to remain at Villa Park.

"Villa kept saying they wanted me to stay but I have not heard from the manager for weeks," he claimed.

"It's seven weeks now since the season finished but while the gaffer's found time to be a pundit for the BBC at Euro 2008, he hasn't found the time to speak to me.

"Have Villa offered me anything to try to persuade me my future is at Villa Park, not Anfield? Not a thing."

Benitez: Title Would Be Ultimate Achievement

Manager Rafael Benitez claims that winning the Premier League title with Liverpool would be the biggest achievement of his career.

Benitez, who won the Spanish League title twice with Valencia, says the spending power of their rivals makes it difficult but feels his side can improve on last season's fourth place finish.

"Winning the title would be the biggest achievement of my career. It's more difficult than in Spain because teams here spend big money," said Benitez.

Last season the Reds once again prospered in Europe but failed to stay in contention for the league past Christmas.

Next year Benitez is sure that if they can be in touch with the leaders towards the end of the season they can achieve their dream of capturing the title for the first time since 1990.

He said: "We will do our best. The key for me is not to talk about winning the title but to talk about doing a good job so we can be close, so we can be contenders. If we are close I think that we can win the title."

The Spaniard wants to add some more members to his playing squad but claims the mentality of the player is just as important as his skill level and ability.

He explained: "The key, though, is to sign the right players with the right mentality – a winning mentality – competitive players, players who are desperate to come here to win something."

The Reds manager added that he was keen to minimize the number of goals the team concedes from set pieces next term after allowing 16 last season.

Garcia: Torres & Liverpool A Match Made In Heaven

Former Liverpool favourite Luis Garcia has spoken of the special bond his compatriot Fernando Torres has quickly formed with the club's fans, and hailed the Torres-Liverpool partnership as one based on mutual understanding and passion.

Luis Garcia left Anfield for Atletic Madrid last summer, as his countryman Fernando Torres made the opposite move. Garcia was a much-loved performer among the Liverpool fans, and sad to leave both the club and Merseyside. But he is enthusuastic about the immediate impact Torres made at Anfield.

Garcia reckons Torres has the 'Scouse spirit,' which has made him an instant hit at his old club. And he has revealed that he did not need to persuade El Nino - currently preparing for his first European Championship final with Spain - to join Liverpool last summer.

"I didn't have to sell anything to him because I didn't need to," Garcia told the club's LFC Magazine in 'The Torres Story.'

"Liverpool is one of the best cities I have ever been to with some of the most passionate people. Fernando already knew about this spirit and soul beforehand and I think that was one of the main reasons why he signed for Liverpool.

"Fernando understands that if you have something in common with the people you are playing for, it can only be to the benefit of the team.

"I have spoken to him quite a lot since the start of last season. Whenever I call him I always start the talk in English.

"I say things like 'How are you,' then he will respond in English. The first time he did it, it surprised me, because he had only just moved.

"But Fernando is a quick learner, so really, I shouldn't be surprised.

"Fernando has the spirit of a scouser, so one day maybe he'll start talking like you lot!"

Garcia added that he was not surprised that Torres hit 33 goals in his first Premier League campaign, and reckons the striker's pace was a key factor in his success.

"The game is more about the counter-attack and the ball moves from one end of the pitch to the other very quickly," he said. "This is perfectly suited for Fernando because he is quick and can speed things up at the attacking end of the field.

"Stevie [Gerrard] and Fernando are working well together because Fernando has the pace to read Stevie's passes. Equally, Stevie knows that if he tries to make a through ball Fernando will have the speed to run on to it and create a chance."