West Brom Wait On Carson As Blackburn Linked With Liverpool Keeper

West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray has disclosed that he is yet to hear from Scott Carson having held talks over a possible transfer for the Liverpool goalkeeper.

The 22-year-old England international, who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, is expected to leave Anfield this summer as he has already had a chat to Baggies’ rivals Stoke City as well, while fellow Premiership outfit Middlesbrough are also linked.

Blackburn Rovers are also said to be in the frame as doubts mount on Brad Friedel’s future at Ewood Park with Manchester City and Aston Villa linked.

Baggies boss Mowbray, meanwhile, is waiting for the answer from Carson as he prepares the squad for the top-flight football.

"I'd go down the road of saying nothing is done, nothing is agreed," said Mowbray in the Birmingham Mail.

"We've had conversations but we can’t say any more as it may come to nothing more - we don't know.

"There is nothing to comment on at the moment.

"We haven't set a timescale and we may hear no more about it.

"Things will either move along or they won’t”

Mowbray also dismissed the link with Bolton defender Abdoulaye Meite after constant reports claimed that the Ivorian was a top target for the Baggies.

"There's nothing happening there," he added.

"If comments have come out of Bolton then that's disappointing but it's just speculation and no more."

Liverpool Keen To Push Through £20m Deal For Spurs Striker Keane

Liverpool are ready to make an improved bid for Tottenham striker Robbie Keane after failing with an initial offer of Peter Crouch plus £5m.

Eager to avoid a repeat of the protracted Gareth Barry saga, they will table a package that - with add-ons - will match Tottenham's £20m valuation of the Republic of Ireland international.

While their pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Barry is likely to drag on, Liverpool hope to secure Keane's signature by the start of next week.

Plans for an improved bid came as Spurs boss Juande Ramos gave a clear indication yesterday that he will listen to offers for Keane and Manchester United target Dimitar Berbatov.

Speaking from the club's Spanish training retreat, Ramos said: 'The idea is signing young players and if important offers for older players are made, studying it to see what is best for the club.

'We are talking about two very important players. For the moment they are with us. There are some big clubs who have spent a lot of money over many years and have a certain advantage.'

Reports from Spain suggested United might face competition from Barcelona for £30m-rated Berbatov, having failed with a £20m offer.

Meanwhile, Ramos has denied any interest in Espanyol striker Luis Garcia.

Kuyt: Future's Bright, Future's Red

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt believes the future is bright at Anfield after observing the performance of a host of youngsters during the side’s 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland side FC Lucerne.

Manager Rafa Benitez stated last week that several of the young prodigies would be handed their first-team opportunity to “show (him) what they can do”, and the midweek game saw the likes of Jay Spearing, Emiliano Insua and Damien Plessis feature.

It was, however, the performance of 17-year old forward Daniel Pacheco that caught the eye, the Spaniard slicing open Lucerne’s defence to set up fellow apprentice Lucas Leiva for the opening goal.

The performances caught the eye of Kuyt who believes that the group’s inclusion will aid their development at Anfield.

“The tour is important for everyone to get to know each other but this is also a big chance for the young lads,” the Holland international said.

"They did very well tonight and with a bit more luck we could have had four or five goals."

The 27-year old also admitted that he is relishing the hard-work which lies ahead during pre-season as the squad look to regain their fitness ready for the start of the Premiership in August.

"This was my first day back but the lads have told me they've been working very hard this week,” he added.

"The most important thing at this stage is not the result, it's working hard and making sure we are fit for the season.

"The Swiss league starts next week and Lucerne showed they were ready, so it was a good test."

Leiva Looking For Goals

Liverpool youngster Lucas Leiva has set his sights on the opposition goal as he looks to improve his goal tally during the coming season.

The 21-year old Brazilian, who made his senior international debut last summer, found the net just once last campaign, against Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup.

The player, who has been included in Brazil’s Olympic squad, opened his account for The Reds on Wednesday, albeit in a friendly against Lucerne.

And after a solid debut season at Anfield, the £6.5 million signing from Gremio is looking to take advantage of manager Rafa Benitez’s instruction to push forward as he looks to replicate the goal-scoring prowess he demonstrated in his homeland.

"It's always nice to score a goal, and it was a good goal and a good win for the team, so I'm happy about that," the midfielder said.

"We know we have to work hard in pre-season because we have a long season ahead and we are trying to put the things we are doing in training into practice in the matches.

"The manager has given me more freedom to go forward and that suits because that is my style.

"I think my form and fitness are improving every day even though it has been tiring because pre-season has been hard but I am happy with my goal.

"I am confident that I can score more goals. Last season I got only one but in Brazil I scored quite a few so I have the belief that I can score more for Liverpool."

The player’s midweek goal was set-up by a defence-splitting pass from fellow prodigy Dani Pacheco, the 17-year old Spaniard, and Leiva feels that the pair can play a key role as Liverpool look to mount a serious title bid.

"It was good for us to win because it helps with our confidence but it wasn't vital at this stage,” he added.

"It is more important for us to get our form and our fitness and that is what we are working really hard to do.

"But Andriy's goal gave us the win and it was a very good goal. He did really well to score because he spotted the keeper off his line and chipped him - he will be pleased with that.

"Also, it was a great pass from Pacheco for my goal. He is a very intelligent player and he is getting better and better all the time.

"He is only 17 but I think he has a good future because he is already showing his qualities for Liverpool."

Liverpool Have Option On Hungarian Loanee

The agent of Hungarian goalkeeper Zsolt Poloskei - who has joined Liverpool on loan - claims that the Reds have the option of signing him on a permanent deal.

Tibor Pataky, agent of 17-year-old Zsolt Poloskei, says Liverpool could exercise an option to sign the goalkeeper on a permanent basis.

Poloskei has signed on a one-year loan from Liverpool’s feeder club, MTK Budapest, becoming the fourth youngster from the Hungarian club currently at Anfield.

Krisztian Nemeth, Andras Simon and Peter Gulacsi are already on Merseyside with the Reds.

"Liverpool officials have seen his performances a couple of times in the last two years and spoke highly of him so it was expected that he would get a contract," Pataky told the Hungarian press.

"He arrived at Liverpool with an injury but the club have been confident about their willingness to sign him, after some days Poloskei could begin training. Liverpool have the option to buy the player permanently after one year."

No Stoke Switch For Carson

The Premier League new boys had looked favourites to sign the goalkeeper at the beginning of the week, after having had a reported £4m offer accepted by Liverpool, but evidently negotiations with the player did not have the desired results.

"We can announce that we are no longer pursuing Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson," read an official Stoke statement.

"The club will continue to look to improve the squad and remain hopeful of closing in on several new signings ahead of the Barclays Premier League campaign."

Middlesbrough and West Brom will especially be encouraged by the news, and Liverpool can count on at least equal to Stoke's offer from both of them.

Carson would almost certainly favour a move to Boro, however, as their immediate prospectives as a club are inevitably far greater than his two other suitors, who were both just promoted to the Premier League.

The fringe England international spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, who were eager to make the move permanent until the Reds all-out offensive for Gareth Barry soured the relationship between both clubs.

Injured Barry Sees Hope Of Liverpool Move Fade

Gareth Barry was last night facing up to the sobering possibility of starting the season as an Aston Villa player, after it emerged that Rafael Benítez was beginning to explore other options in the transfer market. The Liverpool manager has become exasperated with Villa's refusal to negotiate over their £18m valuation of Barry, leaving the midfielder, who picked up an injury on his return to training yesterday, increasingly unsure of his future.

The 27-year-old was expected to hold talks with Martin O'Neill on his first day back at the club - he was banned from reporting for pre-season training for two weeks after giving an unauthorised interview - but those discussions are now likely to take place today after the Villa manager spent yesterday in meetings. Barry is keen to push through a move to Liverpool, although there is no sense that O'Neill or Villa's owner, Randy Lerner, will drop their asking price.

The impasse has left Benítez deeply frustrated and prompted him to concentrate his efforts on making other signings before considering another move for Barry. Even then it is doubtful if Liverpool will offer £18m, increasing the likelihood that the England international will still be at Villa when the Premier League season starts in little more than four weeks' time. He will certainly play no part against Odense in the Intertoto Cup on Saturday after picking up a foot injury.

Liverpool FC Ready To Launch Robbie Keane Bid

Tottenham Hotspur are bracing themselves for a substantial bid from Liverpool for Robbie Keane.

Rafael Benitez has earmarked the Republic of Ireland international as he attempts to bolster his strike-force following the departure of Peter Crouch to Portsmouth.

And Liverpool are expected to make an official offer in the next few days as Benitez’s transfer priority shifts away from Gareth Barry.

Tottenham are keen to keep Keane, particularly as speculation increases over Dimitar Berbatov joining Manchester United, and will ask for £20million.

Liverpool consider that valuation exorbitant. But Keane is a lifelong Liverpool fan and is desperate for a move to Anfield to become a reality.

The development comes after Benitez opted to put a proposed move for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry on ice, following the collapse of Xabi Alonso’s transfer to Juventus.

The Liverpool manager, working within specific financial constraints, still wants to bring Barry to the club, but will only move if Villa lower their asking price.

Benitez saw his players continue their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 victory over FC Lucerne in the Swiss town of Grenchen last night.

Lucas Leiva gave Liverpool the lead in the 10th minute following a fine pass from impressive youngster Dani Pacheco and although Mario Gavranovic equalised three minutes later, Andriy Voronin netted the winner with an exquisite chip eight minutes before the break.

“I think it was a good workout tonight,” said Benitez. “The idea was to continue improving the fitness level of the players, I thought it was a good game with many opportunities so it was positive.

“This was another game where their goalkeeper was man of the match.

“We scored two good goals and the understanding between Voronin and Pacheco was good. The team worked really hard, and that was main idea.”

The game was notable for the appearance of Sebastian Leto who, because of work permit problems, last played a competitive match for the reserves against Middlesbrough in December.

The Argentine caught the eye on the left wing, and Benitez revealed Liverpool hope his situation will be resolved in the next fortnight.

“Leto is a good player and he showed tonight the quality that he has,” said the Anfield manager.

“He has had some problems with his work permit but hopefully that will be okay because has a lot of quality.

“We are waiting to hear when that permit will come through and we should find that out in the next 10 days.”

Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt made their first appearances of pre-season as late substitutes.

Babel – who Benitez last night confirmed will go to the Olympics with Holland – was making his comeback after missing the recent Euro 2008 finals through injury. And Benitez said: “Ryan did well in his time on the pitch, and Dirk Kuyt also played at the end despite only arriving earlier in the day.

“We needed to use them both at the end as the rest of the team was tired.”

Steven Gerrard missed the game as a precaution after complaining of feeling tired, while Jermaine Pennant was also absent after receiving a knock against Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.

New signing Andrea Dossena is still waiting on international clearance, with Benitez hopeful the Italian can make his debut against Wisla Krakow on Saturday.

Steve Finnan, meanwhile, returned to Merseyside yesterday for treatment on an ankle injury suffered earlier in the week and will miss the rest of the training camp.

Promise Of Pacheco Has Fringe Benefits

Twelve months ago in Grenchen, a Spanish forward took the first step towards making his name at Liverpool.

But, with Euro 2008 hero Fernando Torres on a richly-deserved vacation, last night it was the turn of a younger striking compatriot to command the headlines.

Daniel Pacheco has been earmarked as one to watch ever since Liverpool persuaded him to leave Barcelona.

And in the sleepy Swiss town of Grenchen at the foot of the Jura mountains, Pacheco gave further compelling evidence of his huge promise as Rafael Benitez’s side continued their pre-season preparations with victory over FC Lucerne.

Pacheco created Lucas Leiva’s opener with a sublime pass and his overall display richly-merited the warm ovation he received on being substituted 12 minutes from time.

With Torres, who made his Liverpool debut in Grenchen last year, still on extended leave, Dirk Kuyt having only arrived in Switzerland earlier in the day and Krisztian Nemeth on international duty, Pacheco was again given his chance last night.

And, as at Prenton Park on Saturday, the Spanish youngster indicated why there has been much gnashing of teeth at the Nou Camp over his departure.

Pacheco possesses great pace and composure and it’s easy to see why the senior players have been impressed by his impact while training with the first team.

The 17-year-old’s potential was perfectly showcased in the 10th minute, turning away from his marker on the edge of the area and slipping a reverse pass for the incoming Lucas to finish confidently past Lucerne goalkeeper David Zibung.

Pacheco’s exuberance was evident throughout. Although guilty of over-elaboration later in the half when allowing Zibung to smother his effort after Yossi Benayoun had dummied Andriy Voronin’s pass, the Spaniard remained confident enough to assume set-piece duties, his right-wing corner headed wastefully over by an unmarked Daniel Agger.

The second half saw more of the same. However, Pacheco’s failure to turn many of his chances, often self-made, into goals underlines his potential role more as playmaker than clinical marksman.

It is a minor quibble. Even since his impressive cameo appearance as substitute in the reserves’ final against Aston Villa in May, Pacheco appears to have grown a few inches.

Continue this progress over the next 12 months and the youngster could easily be pushing for a regular place in the matchday squad at the very least.

Opponents Lucerne, who finished sixth in the Swiss Super League last time out, are much further down the line in their pre-season preparations, with their new campaign beginning at the weekend.

It was therefore a genuine work-out for Benitez’s side, with a surprisingly entertaining encounter helping further shake off the inevitable ring-rustiness.

Besides Pacheco, other fringe players also made the most of their opportunity. The lesser-spotted Sebastian Leto, his Liverpool career stalled by eligibility issues, was lively down the left and should have capped his 55-minute performance with a goal, instead dragging a presentable opening wide before the break.

With so few options available to Benitez on the left flank, an available Leto would be a definite asset on this showing.

Of course, pre-season can be notoriously deceiving. Voronin, for example, suggested goals aplenty following his exploits during last season’s summer warm-up programme but faded horribly once the serious stuff started.

The Ukrainian was at it again last night, sending a sumptuous chip over Zibung from 25 yards for Liverpool ’s second goal eight minutes before half-time.

But with the likes of Pacheco waiting in the wings, Voronin will most likely need a lot more where that came from over the next 10 months.

There were some warning signs for Benitez, however. When Philipp Degen was officially unveiled to media at Melwood last week, he cited pace and attacking ability as his main attributes.

By inference, even the right-back himself accepts defending is not his strong suit. And Lucerne’s 13th-minute equaliser was a case in point, Degen beaten in the air to a deep far-post cross by Djamel Mesbah, who nodded across goal for Mario Gavranovic to head in.

Early days admittedly, but such strengths and weaknesses do not bode well and are so similar to that of a foreign import of Anfield past that the Swiss may soon earn the tag Vegard Degen.

Yossi Benayoun, having netted a fantastic goal against Tranmere at the weekend, was far less effective last night, although young Damien Plessis’s stock continues to rise after another mature display.

Ryan Babel made his first outing after missing Euro 2008 through injury, while Daniel Agger continued down his long road to full fitness with another 45 minutes.

Diego Cavalieri enjoyed a full debut in goal, and Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano returned to the fold in the closing moments.

However, as last year, it was the sight of Spanish forward that lingered most in the minds of the sell-out crowd.

Rafa Revels In Leto & Babel Returns

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has revealed his delight at the return of young guns Sebastian Leto and Ryan Babel to his side for their friendly win against Lucerne last night.

Leto joined the Reds last summer from Argentine outfit Lanus for just under ₤2million. He arrived on Merseyside alongside the better-known Lucas Leiva but expectations were nonetheless high.

An unorthodox-looking winger given his height (188cm), the 21-year-old starred for the reserves early in the season and impressed in training – so much so that he earned a start against Olympique Marseille in a crucial Champions League clash.

Liverpool lost that game and much of the blame was laid at Benitez’s feet for picking Leto, who has not played for the first-team since. Many thought this was because he had fallen down the pecking order, but it has since been revealed that bureaucratic red tape is the culprit.

Hence, Benitez was thrilled to see Leto play 55 minutes in Switzerland last night and hopes his permit problems will be sorted by the start of the competitive season.

"Leto is a good player and he showed tonight the quality that he has," he told the club’s official website. "He has had some problems with his work permit but hopefully that will be okay because has a lot of quality.

"We are waiting to hear when that permit will come through and we should find that out in the next 10 days."

Also featuring in the Reds’ 2-1 victory was Ryan Babel, who is on his way back to fitness after suffering an ankle injury that ruled him out of EURO 2008.

The Dutchman will miss the start of the season due to Olympic commitments, as will Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano, who also featured against the Swiss side. Dirk Kuyt also played, while Steven Gerrard and Steve Finnan sat out through fatigue and injury respectively.

"It was good to give Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano their first games," said the Spaniard on the club’s official website. "Kuyt has only just joined us for training and wanted to play tonight.

"Steven Gerrard was a little bit tired so we didn't want to take any risks. Jermaine Pennant has a knock so like Gerrard we didn't want to take any risk.

"Steve Finnan has a problem with his thigh and he is back in Liverpool receiving treatment."

Liverpool To Snub Greek Offer For Lucas?

A reported approach to Liverpool by Greek side Olympiakos about the possibility of signing Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva is expected to be politely rebuffed.

Olympiakos have reportedly enquired about Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva, who is expected to feature for Brazil at this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing.

However, the Reds are expected to be distinctly cool about any sale, given their frustrating time so far this summer with midfielders.

One of manager Rafa Benitez’s prime targets, Gareth Barry, remains an Aston Villa player, and the prospect of his moving to Anfield remains up in the air. Meanwhile Xabi Alonso, who had earlier looked likely to join Juventus, bringing in cash to help fund a bid for Barry, is in limbo after Juve signed Christian Poulsen from Sevilla instead.

So with no Barry deal agreed, and Alonso's future uncertain, Benitez may be reluctant to let Lucas to leave the club - assuming the player was prepared to swap Anfield for Piraeus.

Benitez is thought to rate Lucas, 21, having bought him from Gremio a year ago for some £6million. And he is unlikely to want to see him leave so quickly - unless Olympiakos are ready top make him an offer he can’t refuse.

Lucerne 1-2 Liverpool

Goals from Lucas Leiva and Andriy Voronin saw Liverpool claim a 2-1 win over Swiss Super League outfit FC Lucerne in their second pre-season friendly.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez handed new goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri the gloves for his debut, while fellow newcomer Philipp Degen was also in a first XI which included Spaniard Danny Pacheco but not Steven Gerrard, who was left on the bench.

Pacheco was the architect of the 10th-minute opener, combining well with Brazil midfielder Lucas before the latter slotted home coolly to round off the move.

Benitez's men were pegged back soon after when Degen failed to win a far-post header, allowing the ball to break to Gavranovic who converted an uncontested header.

Pacheco and Yossi Benayoun both shone in the first half and the visitors soon moved back into the lead through the equally impressive Voronin.

The Ukraine forward took control of the ball 16 yards from goal before producing a sweetly-hit lob to make it 2-1.

Voronin, a constant thorn for the Lucerne defence in the second half, went close to grabbing a second but there were no further goals.

There was, though, one further plus for Benitez who gave Dutch winger Ryan Babel his first 45 minutes since sustaining an ankle injury in his country's Euro 2008 preparations.

Valero Loving Liverpool Link

Real Mallorca midfielder Borja Valero left little doubt that he would seize the opportunity to join Liverpool in heartbeat.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is reportedly considering making an offer for the 23-year-old midfielder, who responded by risking antagonising his own fans by proclaiming Liverpool to be the greatest club in the world.

"There's no club greater than Liverpool," Valero is quoted as saying by www.setantasports.com.

"I will stay here at Mallorca until I am told otherwise. If Liverpool are indeed interested in me then I feel very flattered by that.

"Mallorca would surely prefer to keep the squad in place that did so well last season but at the end of the day they are a selling club.

"My aim has always been to win trophies and to grow as a footballer."

The former Real Madrid prospect has been a revelation since signing for Mallorca in 2007, and the belief is that Benitez will move for him if they fail in their long-standing efforts to prise Gareth Barry away from Aston Villa.

Mallorca's sporting director Nando Pons have already indicated that they would be open to selling Valero to LIverpool should the right offer arrive.

“The club needs money but we don’t want to break up the team we had last season," he said last week.

"However, if a great offer arrives we will be forced to consider it”.

Gunners Keen On Alonso - Agent

Xabi Alonso's agent has claimed the Liverpool midfielder is aware of interest from Arsenal.

The Spaniard has seen a possible move to Juventus hit the buffers after the Italian giants signed Christian Poulsen from Sevilla.

However, reports continue to suggest that Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is prepared to sell Alonso to fund his own spending plans.

Alonso is rated in the £14million bracket and has now been linked with a move to the Reds' Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is in the market for a midfielder after losing Mathieu Flamini, while Gilberto Silva is set to join Panathinaikos.

Reports in Spain suggest contact has been made between the two clubs and the 26-year-old's agent Inaki Ibanez says the player is waiting for Liverpool's decision.

"The player knows about this subject and now the decision lies with Liverpool," Ibanez told Spanish newspaper Publico.

Alonso's sale would give Benitez the funds to sign Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry, who has also been linked with a move to Arsenal.

O'Neill Expects Reds Contact

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill expects Liverpool to come in with a new bid for Gareth Barry.

Liverpool have been frustrated in their attempts to sign Barry, with Villa reportedly looking for in the region of £18million for the England international.

Barry is set to return to pre-season training with Villa on Wednesday after being suspended for two weeks for his public outburst against O'Neill.

Speaking after Tuesday's friendly at Lincoln, O'Neill says he expects Liverpool to get back in contact regarding Barry, after Villa outlined their demands for a deal to go through.

"I haven't heard anymore," O'Neill told Sky Sports News. "We should be in communication with Liverpool, but he is coming back (to training)."

Villa have been linked with a host of players in recent weeks, including David Bentley, Brad Friedel and Stewart Downing and O'Neill admits it is imperative he adds to his squad.

"I think umpteen players have been linked with us, but definitely we would need a proper squad," added O'Neill.

"I have said it before that last season we worked with the smallest squad in the Premiership and that is the situation we want to address this year."

Rafa Benitez Wants Assurances Over Ryan Babel

Rafael Benitez will seek reassurances from Dutch officials after Ryan Babel’s Olympic call-up yesterday.

Liverpool’s 21-year-old was named in the Holland squad for the Beijing Olympics, meaning he could miss the first two games of the Premier League season.

But of more concern to Anfield manager Benitez is the forward being rushed back into competitive action after his recovery from the ankle ligament tear that ruled him out of Euro 2008. Benitez has already lost Brazilian Lucas and Argentinians Javier Mascherano, and – probably – Emiliano Insua to the Games next month.

And as Babel has battled back to fitness earlier than expected, it has allowed the Dutch to call him up to coach Foppe de Haan’s 18-man squad.

As part of their preparations for the Games, Holland will face Belgium on July 23 before flying to Hong Kong for the ING Cup.

The team will then move on to Tianjin in China, where they play their first Olympic match against Nigeria on August 7 before also facing Japan and the United States in Group B.

This schedule is galling for Benitez given the recovery program Babel has begun at Melwood last week, but he cannot stop the player going under the competition rules.

Benitez said recently: “Obviously, we are really pleased that Ryan has come back to training because he is an important player for us and he has worked hard to recover from the injury he suffered with Holland.

“But we are really worried because after getting him fit we will lose him again. This is a big problem – we prepare him and then he goes away with the national team.

“This season is very important for him. In his first season he was settling in but this time he has more experience and we are looking for him to give something from the beginning, so it is really important for him to start working with his team.”

It is likely that Babel will clash with Everton’s Victor Anichebe when their countries meet in the first group match.

Liverpool FC Confident Of Signing Gareth Barry

Liverpool remain confident of sealing the signature of Gareth Barry despite his return to pre-season training with Aston Villa today.

That is also despite Arsenal monitoring the Barry situation after the Gunners joined the race to sign the midfield ace.

Villa released a statement last night confirming their captain – who they value at £18m – would return to their Bodymoor Heath HQ this morning.

It came less than a fortnight after Martin O’Neill fined Barry a reported two weeks’ wages and declared he wouldn’t be allowed back to training after the player publicly criticised his manager for the handling of the transfer saga a fortnight ago.

But with O’Neill also admitting Arsenal have asked to kept informed of Barry’s status, he is aware of the need to avoid too much disruption to his pre-season preparations.

Villa have accepted the midfielder’s desire for Champions League football but know that he will only yield their asking price if he is kept to the peak of his fitness during the summer.

Barry’s return to training is merely more evidence that his club are prepared to accept his departure for something more in the region of the £15m Liverpool are prepared to pay.

Manager Rafael Benitez is reluctant to abandon the deal at this stage and is pondering a fifth bid as Arsenal’s interest gathers momentum.

But his chances of netting both Barry and Tottenham striker Robbie Keane still hinge on pushing through a big-money departure to subsidise his outlay.

Those hopes were dealt an emphatic blow yesterday when Juventus confirmed they are not in the market for any more players after Monday’s capture of the Danish international Christian Poulsen, thus calling off their pursuit of Xabi Alonso.

“If I have to be honest, unless something extraordinary happens, we can say that we have concluded our transfer activity,” said Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli.

Alonso may well attract interest from Premier League clubs despite his £14m asking price. Allowing him to leave for much less would defeat the object of selling him to raise funds.

Liverpool Must Bid Big For Keane

If Liverpool really do want Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane, they will have to be prepared to bid up to £20million for the Irishman.

According to The Sun, Liverpool must offer big money for Spurs striker Robbie Keane.

The newspaper reckons Tottenham are prepared to sell their talismanic striker, provided the price is right.

It says Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is "waiting for an offer he can't refuse from Liverpool," and that means around £20million, a fairly astronomical figure which the Reds will almost certainly baulk at paying, given that Fernando Torres cost them only a little more than that - and that the Anfield club are reluctant to meet Aston Villa's £18 million asking price for long-time target Gareth Barry.

Barry's position at Villa has become strained if not unsustainable since he was barred from the club's facilities, with Liverpool continuing to haggle over that £18m price tag. and Arsenal apparently poised to move on with a bid.

So Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez seems unlikely to meet Tottenham's asking price for boyhood Reds fans Keane, suggesting that Spurs will have to lower that price to do business - or keep an unsettled player at White Hart Lane.

Mark Lawrensen: Bringing In Goal Machine Must Be Top Of Agenda

With a month to go until the new Premier League season ask yourself this: As it stands, have Liverpool for the players that can score the goals to give them the title?

Personally, I don’t think they have. My biggest bug-bear with Liverpool is that they need to realise it’s okay to lose some games as long as you’re trying to win them.

Put another way, the defence is fine, especially now Daniel Agger is back. So forget playing things safe because that’s where draws come from – and Liverpool had far too many of those last year.

They took only one point from almost a third of their games but draws mean nothing now. When it was two points for a win, a draw was half a win but now it’s a third, it’s worthless. Especially when Manchester United and Chelsea are winning so many week-in, week-out.

So my point is, who is going to make sure that if Liverpool go all out to win games that they will score the goals to ensure it happens?

Obvious answer is Fernando Torres.

But 33 goals weren’t enough to sustain a challenge last year and the odds are he won’t score that many again this season. He needs help.

And what if he falls over at Sunderland on the opening day of the season and is out for months?

Now Peter Crouch has gone that currently leaves Andriy Voronin and Dirk Kuyt – and he can’t really be trusted to come in and bang the goals in as he’s been more used to a role wide on the right.

There is of course the possibility of Robbie Keane coming in but good player though he is, he’s more of a streaky scorer.

He’ll go on a run and get 10 in 10 but the that’s half his average season’s tally gone in one go.

He can’t guarantee the kind of regular goalscoring Torres was making a habit last season.

I have to admit that being negative this early on isn’t always wise – I’m sure Rafael Benitez does have some ideas up his sleeve for when the market speeds up.

The Spaniard David Silva would be an exciting addition and although that is unlikely to come off, at least some-one of that ilk would at least get Liverpool some way towards matching the top two in terms of firepower.

But at the moment I think it must be a worry for the Anfield faithful that there isn’t that kind of player they can pinpoint as being good enough to turn them into genuine contenders.

And with Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel looking set for the Olympics it could be a very tricky start to the season if Benitez is unable to boost his forward line before the big kick-off.

It’s even got to the stage where I’m reading reports of Jermaine Pennant leaving for Blackburn and being concerned about losing him.

After all, he’s quick and creative and in terms of players who can operate in the vital wide areas he is an option.

And Benitez is going to have to gather an awful lot of those in the next month.

Torres Targets Liverpool Captaincy

Liverpool's Spanish sensation Fernando Torres has vowed not to become complacent after he managed to top his record-smashing debut season in England by scoring the goal which ended his country's 44 year trophy drought.

The 24-year old moved to Anfield from Atletico Madrid in a £22 million deal last summer, and despite doubts from several leading pundits, went on to score 33 times for The Reds in his debut campaign.

His transition from the Estadio Vicente Calderon to Anfield has been so seamless, that he even has designs of succeeding Steven Gerrard as captain of the storied Merseyside club one day.

Torres told The Mirror: "I really admire Steven Gerrard because I know the pressure he is under every day, everybody talking about him all day long, in changing rooms, in the pubs, in the stadium.

"I've heard people say that he should be stronger, have a stronger personality. And I know from experience how difficult it is to deal with all that. He is at another level of course, because Liverpool is a huge club.

"But I was captain of my team from a very young age and I know everybody was talking about me. I could feel it. I could see it out of the corner of my eye - especially when things weren't going right.

"People look at you from a distance and challenge you with their eyes. All that happens every day to Stevie and he copes with it - he copes with everything that is expected of him all the time.

"He's always under tremendous pressure to perform and everyone looks to him to show leadership, to lift the team.

"He has been a great example to everyone and those of us who have been in a similar situation know how difficult it is to handle.

It's incredible how he carries himself regardless of what's going on."

"I'd love to be captain one day - Steven has shown me how to be a great leader."

Torres also was keen to give Rafa Benitez credit for his career reaching a whole new stratosphere over the past year.

"Rafa has taught me to demand a lot of myself daily, not to relax. When you are in a team where things are going mostly well, players tend to relax.

"But you must always push yourself and never become complacent, try to do your best every single day. At a club like Liverpool, you can't sit back after scoring 20-odd goals and say, 'Well, that's it'.

"After you score 20, Benitez is on at you during the next training session and stays on top of you all day, all week. He tells you to go off on your own and do new exercises.

"There are days when you think, "My God, this guy does not let you breathe'. At times like that you don't realise that all he wants is for you to improve.

"I want to progress in life, not relax, not be complacent. And you need someone close to you telling you to keep at it. It is impossible to do it otherwise.

"We don't always fancy having someone like that so close. But in the long term, I'm sure everybody will thank him for it."