Yossi Benayoun Sale May Seal Deal For Gareth Barry

YOSSI BENAYOUN will join Roma this month according to the Serie A club’s coach Luciano Spalletti.

Despite Liverpool claiming that the Israeli midfielder is not for sale, Benayoun, who joined the club from West Ham United last summer is one of the players Benitez would consider sacrificing should the right offer come along in order to raise funds to finally seal a deal for Gareth Barry.

Roma have already made one successful raid on Anfield this summer, recruiting Norwegian left-back John Arne Riise for £4million and with Javier Mascherano at the Olympics with Argentina and Steven Gerrard injured, Benitez could be tempted into letting Benayoun go as he looks to add more steel to his midfield.

Spalletti revealed that he will bring two new signings to the Stadio Olimpico, claiming one of whom is Benayoun, whose squad number has been moved up from 11 to 15.

The 28-year-old winger declared earlier this week that he had no desire to leave Anfield, but speculation continues to mount over his future, with Manchester City and former club West Ham also linked with a move for the player who has netted in both of the last two matches, at Rangers and Valerenga.

However, Spalletti insists that Benayoun will be one of two arrivals in the Italian capital this summer.

He said: “There will be two new signings. The names? They’re the names you’ve heard. (Jeremy) Menez (of Monaco) and Benayoun are both top class players.”

Captain Gerrard remains a doubt for next Wednesday’s Champions League third qualifying round tie in Belgium against Standard Liege after a scan yesterday confirmed the club’s initial diagnosis.

Gerrard hobbled out of Tuesday night’s 4-1 win in Norway and is definitely out of tomorrow’s friendly against Lazio at Anfield.

Benitez said: “Scans have confirmed our diagnosis of a thigh strain.

“Steven will be out for more or less a week.”

Gerrard’s injury could help convince Liverpool to part with Benayoun as in-form Xabi Alonso could retain his place in central midfield for the Standard game thus making him cup-tied for Champions League matches and thus a less desirable target for suitors.

It would therefore be less likely that the Spaniard could be sacrificed to help fund the Barry deal.

One player who remains very much part of the Anfield furniture as he prepares to embark on his 10th season at the club is Sami Hyypia and the 34-year-old Finn claims that Liverpool’s more youthful players help to keep him feeling young.

He said: “Of course it gets a little bit more difficult as you get older but I have enjoyed this pre-season. I have played and I feel fit.

“We all get older but there are a lot of young lads who keep me fit in this team.”

Since arriving on Merseyside in 1999 from Dutch club Willem II, Hyypia has won every major domestic and European honour – except one.

With one year left on his contract the centre-back accepts the 2008/09 campaign could provide him with a final chance to land the Premier League title and if it is his last season then he is determined to go out on a high.

He said: “Hopefully it won’t be my last opportunity but of course every year we have high hopes that we’ll be closer to the top. This year is the same.

“We have strengthened the team with good quality players in the summer and hopefully we will be stronger this season.”

With less than a week to go until the start of Liverpool’s competitive fixtures, Hyypia is pleased with the team’s form having played in the second half of the 4-1 victory over Valerenga.

He said: “It was a good work-out for us and that was the main point, to get a good work-out before the season.

“We have been working hard and it showed a little bit against Valerenga. I think we will be ready for next week and the Champions League qualifier.”

Liverpool FC fans Declared ‘Sexiest’ In The Premier League

Liverpool FC players may be physically fit, but now their supporters have been officially declared the “fittest” or sexiest in the Premiership – and that’s official.

The club’s supporters – whose high-profile fans include Daniel Craig, Angelina Jolie, Dr Dre, Mel C and Joss Stone – came top of the domestic table in the attractiveness stakes, following a study conducted by a TV channel and scouts from the top London- based agency, D1 Model Management.

High-definition footage, which is four times clearer than traditional TV images, was used to study faces in the crowd at a Liverpool home match.

The results compared favourably with the results from footage taken in similar circumstances of 19 other sets of supporters in the Premiership last season.

These included fans of Premiership winners Man United in 10th, Everton 16th and Portsmouth, who came bottom.

The survey was carried out by Sky’s High Definition TV division, and spokesperson Tara Hicks said: “It was just a bit of fun, really – we supplied them with crowd footage taken from a home game of every Premiership club and they made their decision about Liverpool fans – both male and female – being the most attractive.

“The serious side of it, I suppose, was to prove that with HD you really can focus in on a face in the crowd without a problem.”

Dean Cleary-Patterson, from D1, who had the final say in the decision, said: “Yes, it’s true that beauty is subjective and in the eye of the beholder, but I have spent 15 years as a top talent spotter for international model agencies which means I’ve worked with some of the heavyweights in the TV world, on the catwalks and advertising so I think I kind of know what I’m talking about.

“But there is also a criteria that you have to typically take into account.

“There are important things to look for such as symmetrical face, the glossiness of the hair and lips being perfectly full.

“I know a good face, a face that can sell. I can take one look at someone and tell them if they are Givenchy or Primark!”

Mr. Cleary Patterson confirmed that D1 representatives would be following up the study to track down some of the unwitting potential models caught on camera and sign them up. “We’re planning something major very soon in the wake of this, and Liverpool is definitely right up there as the first stop,” he said.

Reds Let Trio Remain In Beijing

Liverpool have made it clear they have no intention of forcing their players to return from the Beijing Olympics, despite a ruling by the CAS.

Suggestions Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva would be told to return to England have been discounted by club sources.

The confusion had arisen during the day following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport upholding an appeal from Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke that allows the clubs to recall their players from the Games.

The argument has centred around the fact the Olympics do not figure in the FIFA schedule.

But Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has taken the view that although he would ideally like to have all his players available for next week's Champions League qualifier and the first day of the Premier League season, he has no intention of denying his young stars the chance of a lifetime to win an Olympic medal.

Liverpool declined to comment officially today on the surprise ruling but Benitez has let it be known he does not want to upset his three players who are about to start the tournament later this week, particularly Mascherano, who wants to win a second gold medal with Argentina.

To recall them now would certainly leave Benitez with three very unhappy players, all of whom have made it clear they want to be in China.

A club source said: "Liverpool want to make it clear that they have no intention of denying their players their wish of playing in the tournament."

Hyypia's Hopes As High As Ever

Liverpool veteran Sami Hyypia is desperate for league success as he nears the end of his illustrious career.

Many would consider it one of the greatest crimes in English football if Hyypia were to end his career without a Premier League medal.

The Finnish defender has been an instrumental figure ever since arriving at Anfield in 1999. Indeed, his £2.6million purchase from Willem II is widely regarded as the best bit of business Gerard Houllier ever did during his time as Liverpool manager.

Hyypia has won almost everything there is to win besides the league title: the Champions League and the UEFA Cup, two FA Cups, two League Cups, two European Super Cups and two Community Shields.

But the 34-year-old has only a runner-up medallion for all his efforts in the league - a situation he is determined to rectify before he hangs up the boots.

And he believes the Merseyside giants have a great chance this season to finally end their 18-year drought.

"Hopefully it won't be my last opportunity but of course every year we have high hopes that we'll be closer to the top," Hyypia was quoted as saying in The Sun.

"This year is the same. We have strengthened the team with good quality players in the summer and hopefully we will be stronger this season."

He added: "Of course it gets a little bit more difficult as you get older but I have enjoyed this pre-season.

"I have played and I feel fit. We all get older but there are a lot of young lads who keep me fit in this team!"

Hammers Join List Of Pennant Admirers

Despite starting a Champions League final, Jermaine Pennant hasn't quite cut it at Liverpool. He has however, got a list of admirers, and West Ham United have emerged as a potential suitor.

Liverpool's wideman, Pennant, 25, has been frozen out of Anfield affairs due to last summer's acquisitions of Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun, and Dirk Kuyt. In order to find first-team football again, he would need to move away from the Mersey.

Aston Villa are believed to be interested, so to was Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth, and Blackburn Rovers are also thought to be keen. Newspaper reports even linked Newcastle United with a bid, but it is the East London club at Upton Park who may back up their interest with an official bid.

If Alan Curbishly were to move for Pennant, he would be an immediate replacement for the recently released Fredrick Ljungberg.

Alonso Set To Secure Liverpool Future Following Gerrard Injury

Steven Gerrard's thigh injury will almost certainly scupper any thoughts Liverpool had of selling Xabi Alonso to raise money to sign Gareth Barry. Gerrard returned from Oslo having picked up the injury in the 4-1 win over Valerenga on Tuesday and had a scan and further medical tests yesterday.

Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, believes it is "touch and go" whether Gerrard will be fit for the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round tie at Standard Liege next Wednesday, but he is certainly out of the friendly against Lazio tomorrow.

If Gerrard is sidelined, Alonso will have to play, considering that fellow midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva are away at the Olympics. Once the Spaniard becomes cup-tied in the Champions League his value will drop significantly.

Alonso, rated at over £16m by Benitez, is likely to only consider a move to another Champions League side. With the deal to bring Barry to Liverpool seemingly no nearer completion, despite the green light from Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill at the weekend, Benitez may soon have to look at other means of raising the cash.

It was thought that the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett would provide a short-term loan to allow Benitez to sign Barry then sell players.

It had been expecting the deal would be completed by now, bearing in mind that it was supposed to have been almost tied up last week before O'Neill's self-imposed deadline, which was withdrawn at the weekend. However, any chance of Barry being unveiled at the Lazio game seems long gone.

Benitez has clearly been impressed by Alonso's pre-season form – he has scored two goals in two games – while Yossi Benayoun's desire to stay at Anfield is also obvious. "Xabi scored a good goal after scoring a penalty against Rangers on Saturday so this is very positive," Benitez said after the win over Valerenga. "He is showing that he is a good professional but then we already knew this and I am very pleased with his commitment on the pitch."

If the money is not forthcoming from Liverpool's American owners to push the Barry deal through, Benitez is expected to look elsewhere for finance rather than sell Alonso or Benayoun.

Buying Barry would require him to find half of the £18m fee now, the rest payable in a year. So the likes of Jermaine Pennant and Andriy Voronin are likely to be sold to raise around £9m, but that would mean Barry's move is unlikely to be completed until the end of the transfer window.

Liverpool Owners Set To Provide Money To Buy Barry

Though Gareth Barry was still waiting for news of any breakthrough on his move to Liverpool yesterday, there is a feeling that the club's American owners are willing to provide the cash needed for his purchase. The Tom Hicks camp appears to be relaxed about the issue – perhaps too relaxed for Liverpool's liking – though Barry will be hoping that next week, rather than this, might deliver the moment he has been waiting for.

Hicks and Gillett may be waiting to discover how much cash Rafael Benitez may put towards the purchase of Barry through sales, though the prospect of Xabi Alonso reaping £18m looked less likely than ever yesterday after Steven Gerrard returned from Oslo having picked up a thigh injury in the 4-1 win over Valerenga, which may rule him out of next Wednesday's Champions League third qualifying round, first leg fixture away to Standard Liege.

If Gerrard is not fit for that match then Alonso will have to play, considering that fellow midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas are at the Olympics. Once Alonso becomes cup-tied in the Champions League, his value will drop significantly.

The £6m sale of Andrei Voronin remains a possibility, with several German clubs interested, as does Jermaine Pennant's £4m move, with Blackburn Rovers believed to be among those interested.

Liverpool declined to comment officially on the surprise ruling that allows clubs to withdraw their players from the Olympics after Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke appealed.

l Luke Young is expected to join Aston Villa today in a deal that could bring Middlesbrough £5m, double what the Teessiders paid Charlton for Young just over a year ago. Martin O'Neill requires cover at full back and Young, 29, had a solid first season at Boro. Villa are also trying to sign a left back and Reading's Nicky Shorey is believed to be close to moving to Villa Park.

A Spanish Conquest

Gareth Barry may not have been in Oslo last night, but there was no getting away from him.

If it wasn’t an injury scare to Steven Gerrard which suggested a move for the Aston Villa man might need to be completed sooner rather than later, it was the imperious form of Xabi Alonso which begged the question of why Liverpool remain ready to spend around £18m on a central midfielder.

Should Tom Hicks and George Gillett get their act together and finally give their approval to the proposed deal, Barry could be a Liverpool player before the week is out.

What that would mean for Alonso is unclear, with a likely need to balance the books putting his Anfield future in doubt, but at least the stylish midfielder is making it hard for his manager to allow him to depart by showing Rafa Benitez exactly what he would be missing if he decided to let him go.

The debate about whether Barry is a better player than Alonso or would better complement the current Liverpool side is likely to go on for some time and, if letters pages and internet message boards are anything to go by, the fans are yet to be convinced that he is.

But what cannot be doubted is Alonso’s enduring professionalism and willingness to give his all for the team even when his own future at the club is shrouded in such severe doubt.

Against Valerenga, he swept the ball about with consummate ease, protected his back four and popped up on the edge of the box to score with the kind of precise finish only players with studious technique can even contemplate.

If there is a criticism of Alonso, it is that he hasn’t done this more often, particularly when he can hit the ball at least as sweetly as any other member of the current Liverpool squad.

It could be argued that the fact that his Anfield status is threatened has actually brought out the best in him because against Rangers at the weekend and the Norwegian outfit last night he adopted a shoot on sight policy which has brought him two goals and could easily have brought him even more.

Had it not been for a sloppy goal conceded just after half time when Liverpool’s defence totally lost its shape, the symmetry with Saturday’s game at Ibrox would have been complete.

As against the Scots, Liverpool scored once in the first half and three times in the second. Even the identity of the goalscorers was identical, with Alonso being joined on the score sheet by Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and David Ngog.

A similar gulf in class was evident also with the Reds having far too much for their willing, but limited, opponents in front of a crowd which could not have been more partisan in favour of Benitez’s side had it been played at Anfield.

The backing of the Norwegian fans is nothing short of a phenomenon, you only have to witness the huge numbers wearing newly-acquired Liverpool shirts on the streets of Oslo to realise that.

But they also have a commitment to the club which easily exceeds the stereotype of so many out of town supporters – they even sing Scouser Tommy in an almost Scouse accent.

Their vocal and vociferous backing meant Liverpool were not going to do anything other than put on a show and at times their football was excellent, underpinned by an eagerness to attack at every opportunity and a fluidity of movement which has allowed the team to express itself more and more as pre-season has worn on.

There is still no genuine width and the idea of having Robbie Keane stationed on the left wing is one which will take some getting used to, but, in the absence of players who get chalk on their boots, Liverpool are still managing to use the central areas of the pitch to good effect.

Such an approach relies on imaginative movement of course and Torres in particular is adept at finding space and creating it for others to often devastating effect.

But if there is one weakness which the current pre-season programme has thrown up it is that Liverpool still do not possess a player who is likely to get to the byline and get crosses in.

Modern football lacks such players, and Benitez would dearly love to have one at his disposal if he could find, and afford, one.

In the absence of a top-class winger, Andrea Dossena is being asked to get forward from left back at every opportunity and after a difficult start to his time in a red shirt the Italian is now settling in well and is undoubtedly a threat when he joins the attack.

Yossi Benayoun is certainly enjoying working with an overlapping full back as his second half strike illustrated as he moved inside from his station wide left and produced a jinking run and finish which brought the Ullevaal Stadium to its feet.

That goal was sandwiched between a brilliant strike by Torres and a calm and assured finish by French teenager Ngog, who has certainly impressed in his last two outings.

Besides the poor goal they conceded, the only other worry for Liverpool was their continued inability to deal with set pieces played into their own box.

Having plagued them for much of last season, this recurring problem is still to be eradicated and at times last night Valerenga caused chaos just by floating a high ball to the back stick.

If a side as limited as Valerenga is having this effect then you can bet your life that the Premiership big guns will be rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of Liverpool’s Achilles heel still being on show when the Premiership season kicks off in less than two weeks time.

But the positives far outweigh the negatives at present and Liverpool’s commitment to attacking football looks greater now than it has at any stage in Benitez’s tenure.

He now wants Gareth Barry to add to what he’s already got and it is now down to Messrs Hicks and Gillett to decide if they are willing to back their manager’s judgement.

VALERENGA: Perkins, Storbaek, Reid, Muri, Jepsen, Berre, Haestad, Strand, Zajic, Holm, Shelton.

LIVERPOOL: Cavalieri (Reina, 46), Arbeloa (Darby, 67), Carragher (Hyypia, 46), Agger, Dossena (Insua, 67), Kuyt (El Zhar, 75), Gerrard (Spearing, 27), Alonso (Plessis, 53), Benayoun (Pacheco, 67), Keane (Ngog, 67), Torres (Nemeth, 67).

REFEREE: Tom Henning Ovrebo.

ATTENDANCE: 25,277

Liverpool Boss Rafa Benitez's Delight At New Boy David Ngog's Big Impact

Rafa Benitez today hailed the instant impact made by David Ngog and backed the French youngster to get even better when he gets used to the Liverpool way of playing.

Ngog, a £1.5m summer signing from Paris Saint Germain, scored his second goal in three pre-season friendly matches in last night’s comfortable 4-1 win over Valerenga in Oslo.

The 19-year-old added to his first goal in a red shirt against Rangers at the weekend with a cool finish to score Liverpool’s fourth of the night against the Norwegians.

And his manager couldn’t hide his delight with the way Ngog is settling into the Reds’ first team squad.

“David is a young player but we knew when we signed him that he had a lot of ability and a lot of potential,” said Benitez.

“It can sometimes be difficult for young players when they move to a new club, but he has done well and it will be good for his confidence that he has already scored two goals.

“It is now important that he keeps on working hard and trying to get better because he still needs to improve. I think that he will do that.

“His goals are positive but equally important is his movement because this shows that he has game intelligence which was one of the main reasons why we brought him to Liverpool.”

Reina Wary Of Cavalieri Presence

Pepe Reina believes the promising early performances of recent signing and new rival for to be the number one glovesman, Diego Cavalieri, will provide stiffer competition that can only benefit the team.

Sao Paulo-born and Palmieiras educated, Cavelieri, 25, targetted a first team place on his arrival from Brazil. He hasn't arrived at Anfield to simply make up the numbers and collect his cheques, and his recent performances in pre-season have alerted last term's number one, Pepe Reina, to his presence.

Reina told Liverpool's official website: "Diego is a good keeper. Technically, he is almost perfect, and he is quite complete. It is important for him to come in and do well and because if he does that it can only be good for the squad."

"It is always positive to have competition for places and it is no different for me. Hopefully, Diego will continue to play well and that will make me play well also because that will be good for the team."

On the direction that Liverpool want to take this season, he said: "It's all about improving little by little and hopefully I will get some more time on the pitch in our next game. Results now are not significant but the way we play is."

"We are looking to get better in every game and the way we pressed and counter-attacked against Rangers showed we are going in the right direction, but we know there are things we will still need to improve."

Reds Ease To Victory

Liverpool's increasingly impressive unbeaten pre-season run was stretched to seven games against Valerenga in Oslo - but they suffered the worrying loss of skipper Steven Gerrard.

The midfielder limped off in the first half of this comfortable 4-1 victory with what looked like a recurrence of a groin problem that has dogged him in recent weeks.

Liverpool will hope they took Gerrard out of the action before any further serious damage could be done, but with a Champions League qualifier in a week's time against Standard Liege, this is a problem boss Rafael Benitez could do without.

Benitez also saw players he may have to sell soon - Xabi Alonso and Yossi Benayoun - score outstanding goals.

Walsall warmed up for their opening game of the new League One campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory over West Brom.

The Premier League side selected a mainly youthful team and were undone by their local rivals after goals in either half from Anthony Gerrard and Troy Deeney.

Wigan's new signing Amr Zaki scored the winning goal for the second game in a row as the Latics beat Hibernian 1-0 at Easter Road.

The Egyptian netted on his debut against Sheffield Wednesday and repeated the feat after 69 minutes with a neat outside-of-the-foot finish from Antonio Valencia's cross.

Dave Kitson grabbed his first goal for Stoke in the Potters' 3-2 victory over Southampton at St Mary's.

On-loan Chelsea striker Ben Sahar scored two first-half goals as Portsmouth beat Havant & Waterlooville 4-0.

Adam Johnson scored twice as a youthful Middlesbrough side defeated League Two promotion hopefuls Darlington 5-0.

Inter Milan left Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann lots to ponder after winning the Franz Beckenbauer Trophy with a 1-0 win at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening.

A goal from Mancini in the 52nd minute was enough to decide the game for Jose Mourinho's side.

Andrea Orlandi scored the only goal as Championship new boys Swansea defeated Dutch Eredivisie side ADO Den Haag 1-0.

Orlandi seized on Leon Britton's pass after 37 minutes, before unleashing a drive into the bottom corner.

Denes Rosa and Daniel Jones scored cracking first-half goals to give Wolves a 2-0 victory at Stafford, who are managed by former Molineux hero Steve Bull.

Lewis Young grabbed a 1-1 draw for a young Watford XI against St Albans City, who opened the scoring through Simon Martin.

Goals from Michael Paton (17) and Sammy Stewart (79) earned Aberdeen a 2-0 away victory against Inverurie Loco Works.

Roma Step Up Benayoun Chase

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has reiterated his desire to sign Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun, despite the Israeli pledging his future to the club earlier this week.

Speculation surrounding Benayoun’s future has been rife for most of the summer with Roma, Manchester City and former club West Ham all rumoured to be interested in the midfielder.

Benayoun reportedly told the press earlier this week that he wanted to stay at Anfield, despite the speculation, and he was in the starting line up for this evening’s 4-1 win over Valerenga, scoring a great third goal for his side.

However, speaking to the Gazzetta dello Sport Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has insisted that his club will be bringing in two new players, and that Benayoun will be one of them

“There will be two new signings,” he said before adding, “The names? They're the names you've heard. Menez and Benayoun are both top class players.”

Despite Benayoun’s earlier insistence that he wants to stay at Anfield, Liverpool’s financial situation has been well-documented and it may be the case that he could be sacrificed in order to fund further transfers.

Benayoun joined Liverpool from West Ham in a deal thought to be worth £5 million. He managed 15 league starts for the club last season and scored 4 league goals as Liverpool finished the season in fourth place.

Rafa Praises Reds Scouts

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has hailed his scouting staff after new signing David N'Gog found the net again in Norway last night.

N'Gog opened his Liverpool account with an impressive solo effort against Rangers recently - one among four unanswered goals the Reds scored at Ibrox.

The score-sheet looked eerily similar after the Merseyside giants' clash with Valerenga, as the French striker - along with Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Fernando Torres - netted again with a composed finish late in the game.

The 19-year-old has made a positive impact since his move from Paris Saint-Germain and could feature more than expected this season, especially if Torres should suffer any prolonged absence.

And Benitez praised his scouts, led by Eduardo Macia, for singling out N'Gog - not to mention the likes of Lucas Leiva, Emiliano Insua, Damien Plessis and Krisztian Nemeth.

The Liverpool manager said: "They are finding players like N'Gog, players with quality who are not a high price."

Steven Gerrard In Race To Be Fit For Euro Tie

Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of captain Steven Gerrard for their Champions League qualifier in Belgium next week as their skipper faces a race against time to be fit against Standard Liege.

Gerrard’s injury was the only low spot of an otherwise successful evening for Rafael Benitez’s side last night as they cruised to a 4-1 friendly victory over Norwegian club Valerenga in Oslo .

It was the second time in four days that Liverpool netted four goals in a game and the scorers were the same quartet that netted in the 4-0 demolition of Rangers on Saturday.

Xabi Alonso opened the scoring in the first half and despite the hosts equalising through Serb Bojan Zajic just after the break, second-half strikes from Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and David Ngog sealed a comfortable win in front of a large contingent of Norwegian-based Liverpool supporters.

Gerrard was withdrawn 27 minutes into the game and Benitez, who is already without Olympic-bound midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva for the tie against the Belgian champions, admitted that he faces an agonising wait.

He said: “It is a thigh strain. We need to wait but it could be one week.”

Benitez recalled Alonso in midfield and although he is also expected to bring back Pepe Reina in goal in time for the Liege game, his first choice side is gradually being reassembled with the help of some impressive-looking youngsters along the way.

He said: “It is close to the team for next week. We have some players at the Olympic Games, so we used some young players and they showed quality.

“But maybe we will see the majority of the players we used in the first half.

“It was another good work-out. It was a good game, with four goals for us and good play. But the players aren’t 100% yet – that would be difficult right now. The other team were fitter than us but you could see we were passing, pressing and the understanding between the players was better. I am really pleased with the result. Normally when you have quality, when you are playing well and creating chances, you will score goals.”

Liverpool were cheered on by an enormous contingent of Norwegian-based supporters at the game and Benitez was shocked by how large the club’s Scandinavian fan base really is. He said: “It was amazing and it was a surprise for us to see so many people in a red shirt. The support for the team here is really good.”

One player absent last night who should be fit for the trip to Belgium is Martin Skrtel.

The Slovakian defender picked up a groin strain in Saturday’s win over Rangers and although he will not be risked for Friday’s friendly against Italian club Lazio at Anfield, he is expected to be given the all clear the Standard Liege game.

Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Sebastian Leto has agreed a two-year loan deal with Olympiakos after being denied a work permit to play in England next season.

The 21-year-old Argentinian, who arrived at Anfield from Lanus last summer as granted an Italian passport but it was later revoked.

Leto arrived in Athens late on Monday night to complete a medical and put pen to paper on a two-season deal with the Greek champions. He said: “Olympiakos is a challenge for me. I know I will be here for two years.

“I’ve had two weeks of pre-season training with Liverpool and I believe I will be ready to do whatever I have to. Olympiakos are a great team who challenge for every honour in Greece and in the Champions League. The team has some good players, a well known coach and fanatical supporters which always inspires them.”

Playmaker Xabi Alonso Nails His Colours To The Mast

A FIRST half injury to Steven Gerrard means that Liverpool’s captain has to be a doubt for the Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege a week from now but if Rafael Benitez is looking for leaders in midfield he need look no further than a galvanised Xabi Alonso.

A dip in form last season, the disagreement with his manager when he attended the birth of his first child when the team were playing at Internazionale and losing his place in the first XI all pointed to Alonso heading for the Anfield exit door this summer.

Liverpool’s very public pursuit of Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry seemed to be hastening the Spanish international’s departure, particularly as it was suggested that they would need to sell him to fund a deal for the England midfielder.

But despite interest from the likes of Juventus and even Arsenal – who tested Liverpool’s resolve with a cheeky enquiry way below the player’s valuation, nobody has yet come in with a satisfactory offer for the former Real Sociedad man.

So seven days before the start of Liverpool’s competitive season with Barry still at Villa Park having missed the registration deadline for Champions League qualifiers and Gerrard possibly on the sidelines, Alonso is standing up to be counted.

Rather than waiting for an offer to come in like a man resigned to his fate, Alonso has metaphorically rolled up his sleeves to try and convince Benitez around to the thinking of so many Liverpool fans that he still justifies his place in a red jersey.

Although Valerenga were technically the home side last night, there didn’t seem to be much home advantage for them at an Ullevaal Stadion which seemed to have more red-shirted spectators than those sporting the hosts’ blue and white colours.

Many of Liverpool’s enormous Norwegian fanbase were making their presence felt at the stadium and those travelling among the visiting contingent from closer to home were vastly outnumbered by their Nordic counterparts.

Followers of football in these parts have long had a soft spot for English club football where many of their leading players go to play.

But Liverpool’s Scandinavian support existed many years before John Arne Riise’s arrival at Anfield and given this showing will no doubt continue for long after his departure from the club.

It’s often said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and with their replica kits and scarves, your typical Norwegian Liverpool fan looks as much the part as the average Kopite.

Yet for all their enthusiasm, they still lack a certain degree of sportsmanship that Anfield regulars have been educated with as their booing of the home side’s players before the kick-off suggested.

However, such lessons could undoubtedly be learned with frequent trips to their heroes’ ground and given the sky high cost of living in Norway and the generous wages that go hand in hand, it comes as little surprise that so many of their fans embark on a modern day Norse invasion across the North Sea to English stadia each weekend – given the rising price of Premier League tickets and credit crunch back home, they could soon be the only supporters who can afford to get in.

Those present in Oslo last night saw a Liverpool starting line-up showing just one change to the side that began Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of Rangers at Ibrox.

As manager Rafael Benitez looks to draft in more of his regulars ahead of the competitive season, Alonso, a second-half scorer from the penalty spot against the UEFA Cup finalists, replaced youngster Damian Plessis in central midfield.

Showing a determination to fight for his Anfield future with no suitors yet to meet the £16million price tag placed on his head, the Spanish playmaker who Benitez insists he wants to keep, has spent the summer with the spectre of Barry looming over him.

An ability to place shots, even from the longest of range, has always been a major weapon in Alonso’s armoury but with a need to impress it seems that he is now becoming more single-minded than ever when attempting to find the net from distance.

But the policy could well prove to be beneficial for both the player and his club and after a couple of off-target efforts as he found his range, Alonso opened the scoring in Oslo in spectacular fashion 19 minutes into the contest.

A neat exchange of passing from the right hand side involving Alvaro Arbeloa, Dirk Kuyt and Robbie Keane culminated with the Irishman back-heeling the ball into Alonso’s path and he curled the ball around Valerenga’s American goalkeeper Troy Perkins with perfect precision from 25 yards out.

Eight minutes later, Liverpool skipper Gerrard gingerly made his way to the sidelines to be replaced by youngster Jay Spearing but the visitors continued to have the upper hand and almost doubled their lead in bizarre circumstances just before the interval when home defender Adrian Reid headed against his own right-hand post from a Yossi Benayoun left wing cross.

Valerenga, who currently lie seventh in the 14-team Tippeligaen – Norway’s top division – rarely threatened the Liverpool goal all night but they levelled proceedings just three minutes into the second half when Pepe Reina, who had replaced Diego Cavalieri at the break, was beaten from the edge of the area by a shot by Serbian left winger Bojan Zajic who was played in by Jamaican Luton Shelton’s lay-off.

The home side’s joy was short-lived though as Liverpool re-took the lead less than two minutes later while the PA system was still announcing the equaliser.

Fernando Torres shrugged off the attentions of Reid in the box to slip a low effort past substitute keeper Oyvind Bolthof, who had replaced Perkins at the interval.

From then on Liverpool took control but one player who didn’t enjoy the most successful of evenings by his own high standards was Keane.

The £20million striker, obviously so eager to break his scoring duck for his new club, seemed almost twitchy when in front of goal but his nerves will undoubtedly ease when he does get off the mark.

A moment of Benayoun magic brought Liverpool’s third goal on 61 minutes when Torres threaded the ball through to the Israeli, who dribbled wide to the left-hand side of the area before dispatching a glorious left-foot effort into the top corner.

A series of mass substitutions midway through the second half didn’t stop the visitors’ progress though and as he had done in Scotland just three days earlier, the precocious 19-year-old David Ngog produced a sparkling cameo off the bench.

With six minutes remaining, the French youngster was played through by fellow teenager Danny Pacheco and coolly struck a low effort beyond Bolthof’s reach.

It was an excellent finish to Liverpool’s pre-season travels on the continent this season and on this form there should be few worries for Benitez when his troops begin their competitive European campaign in just a week – whether their skipper makes the game in Belgium or not.

Skrtel To Win Fitness Race For CL Qualifiers

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel will have recovered from his groin strain in time for Liverpool's Champions League qualifying tie starting next week.

The Reds face Standard Liege in the first of two legs on Wednesday, August 13 in Belgium, as they look to continue their love affair with the Europe's premier club competition.

Skrtel injured his groin in the 4-0 win at Ibrox over Scottish Premier League and UEFA Cup runners up, Rangers.

The Slovakian stopper has become a favourite with Kopites since joining the club from Zenit St Petersburg in January for £6.5 million, a club record fee for a defender.

Having been left at home as the Reds travel to Norway for this evening's friendly against Valerenga, there were fears he may miss the start of Liverpool's competitive season,

However, though he will also miss Friday's home friendly against Lazio, it is widely expected he will be fit to face Liege a week tomorrow.

Torres Keane On Robbie Goals

European Championship-winning forward, Fernando Torres, has publicly hailed the work of his future striker partner Robbie Keane, and believes they will be a formidable duo this campaign.

Liverpool's former Atletico hitman Torres, 24, has not been shy of accolades and plaudits during his debut season. As a result of his 24 league goals, he was a contender for PFA Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, and was on the shortlist for the PFA Player's Player of the Year.

As if that wasn't enough, by May, 'El Nino' saw his goal tally exceed that of former Merseyside icon Michael Owen's personal record for netting in one season. He also set a new record for the amount of goals scored by a foreigner in the Premier League, one that had previously been set by Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

It wouldn't be daft to presume that the Kop king will repeat his successes of last season, this. By himself he can tally up a mass of 30 goals, let alone with a strike partner.

Robbie Keane on the other hand is fresh from a semi-successful campaign with Tottenham. Despite a league campaign that promised much but delivered little, the White Hart Lane favourite never stopped working. His final season in the lily white shirt of Spurs was rewarded with a League Cup winners medal.

Like Torres, the Dublin-born international has set many records at club level. By notching 15 goals in his final Premier League campaign he became the first Hotspur to reach double figures in half a dozen Premier League campaigns. Not only did he feature in 250 league appearances for Spurs, he also scored over 100 competitive goals.

On paper, a Torres/ Keane partnership has every chance of blossoming into something quite terrifying for opposition defenders, and this is something Torres has already stressed on www.fifa.com.

"He's a fantastic player. I hope he can score a lot of goals for Liverpool and that I can play alongside him many times. We've only been training together for a few days, but the important thing for me is that he is always talking during games."

On their midfield link with Kop captain, Gerrard, Torres mentioned: "The understanding between us and Steven Gerrard is important as well. He is the midfielder who is passing the ball to myself and Robbie and so the more training we do together the more good things we can do for Liverpool."

Torres will be hoping that his partnership with the effervescent Irishman propels Liverpool to their first Premier League trophy, and/or the Champions League. After experiencing success with his national side, he is eager for this to translate to club level: "It was a fantastic summer for Spain but now my thoughts are with Liverpool. Hopefully we will win a trophy - I want to win the Premier League or the Champions League."

Liverpool begin their league campaign away from home, having to travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland.

Liverpool Back In For Riera?

Liverpool have reportedly revived their interest in Espanyol winger Albert Riera.

Having had to loan Argentine midfielder Sebastian Leto to Olympiakos for two years after being he was denied a work permit, Liverpool are said to have reactivated their interest in a player with whom they were linked earlier this summer.

The Reds are now being linked with a new offer for Espanyol’s left-winger Albert Riera.

Benitez’s plans to play Leto more this season have foundered among the Home Office’s bureaucratic red tape, forcing the Spanish tactician to revise his thinking.

And with Leto unavailable to him he is ready to make an enhanced offer the Spain international Riera, according to Sport.

Liverpool had an earlier bid for the 26-year-old one-time Manchester City loanee rejected by Espanyol.

But a deal could be possible now, with Riera himself reportedly keen on an Anfield switch.

He is reported in the Spanish press as saying: "I listen to the news.

"To play in Liverpool is very attractive but also now I am very motivated in Espanyol."

Leto Completes Two-Year Olympiacos Loan

Liverpool midfielder Sebastien Leto has spoken positively about being loaned to Greek giants Olympiacos.

Argentine midfielder Sebastien Leto has been loaned to Olympiacos by Liverpool after the English Premier League side were unsuccessful in seeking a work permit for him.

Leto played last season under an Italian passport, but that was revoked following an investigation by the Italian authorities into passport irregularities.

And although Liverpool sent a delegation to the UK Home Office to try and obtain a work permit for the player, their efforts failed - much to the annoyance of Reds’ manager Rafael Benitez, who complained that the system is in need of a thorough overhaul.

However, Benitez has agreed a two-year loan deal with Olympiacos for Leto while he qualifies for EU citizenship.

And 21-year-old, who moved to Anfield from Lanus in 2007, arrived in Athens on Monday night to complete a medical and sign the contract with the Greek champions.

Benitez has promised him a future with Liverpool, but the Argentine last night told his new club‘s official website: “Olympiakos is a challenge for me. I know I will be here for two years.

"I've had two weeks of pre-season training with Liverpool and I believe I will be ready to do whatever I have to.

"Olympiakos are a great team who challenge for every honour in Greece and in the Champions League.

"The team has some good players, a well known coach and fanatical supporters which always inspire them."

A statement on the official Olympiacos website confirmed that Leto arrived in Athens late on Monday evening: “Sebastian Leto was in Athens on Monday night at 11:20 pm. The 22 year-old Argentine right-midfielder in his first statement, said that his move to Olympiakos presented a challenge and that his personal aim and the aim of the team was to successfully defend their league and cup double and resume their European campaign, where Olympiakos will try to achieve greater success.”

Leto made 52 appearances for Lanus, scoring eight goals but is yet to represent his native Argentina.

Benayoun Planning To Stay With Reds

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has vowed to stay and fight for his place at Anfield, despite attracting interest from Roma.

Roma sounded out a move for the Israeli international as they look to bring in a new attacking midfielder, with the player's agent refusing to rule out a move to the Eternal City.

Benayoun's future at Liverpool has been questioned as Reds boss Rafa Benitez is looking to ship out several players to raise funds for his own transfer plans.

However, the 28-year-old former West Ham man is determined to fight for his future at Anfield, saying he is happy with life on Merseyside.

"It is not true that I am about to leave Anfield," Benayoun told the Daily Star. "I see my future at Anfield.

"I want to stay and that is what will happen."