Match Report: St Gallen 0 - 0 Liverpool

Glen Johnson had an impressive debut for Liverpool, but could not conjure up a victory in the Anfield club's first pre-season game in Switzerland.

Johnson, newly signed at £17million, came on as a second-half substitute in an unfamiliar left-back position, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez having limited options on that flank following the knee injury to Fabio Aurelio.

But Johnson almost scored within minutes of coming on, racing up on the left to fire across goal. And then he appeared on the right flank to create a great chance, spurned by Lucas.

Benitez played two entirely different sides in each half, and Yossi Benayoun also impressed, almost winning the game with a swerving shot beaten away by keeper Reto Bolli in the final seconds.

Youngster Dani Pacheco had twice wasted good opportunities, but St Gallen had the best openings.

Mario Caceres hit a post in the first half, while veteran striker Mario Frick planted an unopposed header wide from eight yards out in the second period.

Liverpool were without their Spanish contingent, as well as Javier Mascherano.

The build-up to this warm-up tour has been dominated by the possible transfer of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

The Spanish club will try to complete a deal before the weekend, but they are still believed to be unwilling to pay the £30m asking price.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, now at Real, summed up his club's desire earlier in the day at the club's Dublin training camp by saying: "Of course we want good players, and Xabi is a very good player. I hope he joins us, we certainly all want that."

Benitez was confronted with "Don't let Xabi go" banners from Liverpool fans during this match, and he is clearly not prepared to be bullied over the issue by the Spaniards.

His immediate concern was getting pre-season off to a good start.

Liverpool began this friendly in the AFG Arena with just skipper Steven Gerrard and defender Jamie Carragher in the starting line-up who would expect to be on the pitch for the Premier League opener next month.

But it gave the chance for long-term injury victim Phillip Degen to make his comeback in his homeland, while striker Andriy Voronin started up front.

The Ukrainian had a successful loan spell with Hertha Berlin last season and has returned to the squad intent on proving he can salvage his Anfield career.

And he started well, linking with Gerrard and working constantly behind Hungarian youngster Krisztian Nemeth.

The 20-year-old saw a first-half shot scrambled away by keeper Bolli, while Gerrard went close from long range.

Liverpool used three goalkeepers during the game - Diego Cavalieri, David Martin and Peter Galacsi - and none of them had a shot to save.

But at the other end the Reds were unable to turn their greater possession into goals.

They are next in action on Sunday against Rapid Vienna in the Austrian capital, by which time the future of Alonso should be much clearer.

Aquilani Not Anfield Bound - Agent

The agent of Alberto Aquilani has brushed aside reports suggesting the Italy playmaker will leave Roma for Liverpool this summer.

Speculation in Italy claimed a delegation from the Barclays Premier League outfit had arrived in Rome to offer 16million euros for the player.

The highly-rated 25-year-old is considered a candidate to replace Xabi Alonso, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

But Aquilani's agent Franco Zabaglia told asromanews.it: "Alberto to Liverpool? Let's not say silly things.

"There's no point in even talking about this subject because there is no truth in this.

"The player recently extended his contract with Roma and is working towards recovering and giving his best to Roma."

Aquilani is under contract with the Eternal City outfit until June 2013.

A right ankle injury limited the player to just 14 league appearances for the Giallorossi last season.

Liverpool's £15m Aquilani Swoop

Liverpool have sent emissaries to Rome in order to complete a £15m swoop for Alberto Aquilani, according to several Italian newspapers.

The Reds have shown an interest in the Roma midfielder as a potential replacement for Xabi Alonso, who is heading to Real Madrid.

Now it’s claimed the club has taken the firm step of sending two emissaries to Italy for crunch talks. The Gazzetta dello Sport says they are FIFA agent Frank Trimboli and an unnamed assistant to Rafa Benitez.

Initially the offer for Aquilani was said to be £13m, but that has been increased to £15m with a five-year contract for the player worth almost £3m per season.

The Italian international only recently extended his contract with Roma until 2013, putting pen to paper in May, after links with Inter, Juventus and Milan.

He is still recovering from ankle surgery and will undergo another check-up in Amsterdam next week.

Roma have made no secret of the fact they need to raise funds in order to strengthen the squad amid a financial crisis.

Coach Luciano Spalletti also declared this week that “we have an abundance of midfielders and probably one player too many in that position.”

Matteo Brighi was thought to be the one sacrificed to Fiorentina or Napoli, but Aquilani would certainly bring in a lot more money.

Aquilani would also balance the books more effectively, as he is a homegrown player and therefore the £15m qualifies as a total profit.

Real Madrid Postpone Final Assault On Liverpool For Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid are still holding out hope of snapping up Xabi Alonso from Liverpool this summer.

The Merseysiders seemed resigned to losing the midfielder, who is reportedly eager to join the Spanish titans, and at the moment, the extravagant price tag is the only thing keeping the 27-year-old at Anfield.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez and his managing director, Christian Purslow, have placed a valuation of around €35 million on the Basque-born player, but Madrid have so far only tabled a bid of €27m.

The ‘White House’, however, are still optimistic of finding a middle ground, but according to AS, they will delay any further negotiations for at least 10 days to focus on ‘Operation Exit’: the club’s bid to offload at least five players from the squad.

Madrid currently have a 30-man unit, but with only 25 players allowed to be registered, director-general Jorge Valdano has been instructed to clear out the surplus before making any further purchases.

The sports daily also believes that the next proposal that the Merengues will make for Alonso will be the final offer.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have reportedly already made plans in preparation of the playmaker’s exit, with some rumours suggesting Roma’s Alberto Aquilani will be signed as a replacement, while others indicate Benitez will use the money to recruit Valencia’s David Silva.

Benitez Promises Voronin Chance

Rafa Benitez has told striker Andriy Voronin that he will be given the chance to fight for his Liverpool future.

The 29-year-old Ukraine international moved to England two years ago but had a difficult start to life at Anfield, leading to a loan spell at Hertha Berlin last season.

However, he regained his form in the Bundesliga with 11 goals in 21 league games and, while it is believed that Benitez would still be willing to cash in on the player, he has vowed to give Voronin the chance to prove himself.

"He did really well in Germany last season, scoring plenty of goals, and he has told me that he wants to stay at the club and fight for his position," he said.

"I have told him that will be difficult with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard as our first-choice strikers, but he realises this and the players we have in the squad.

"But he also knows that this club always plays more than 60 games a season and that means there are opportunities.

"He will fight for his place."

He added: "At this moment, he is a Liverpool player, but it depends on him.

"He is continuing to work hard and is playing well, so he will have a chance.

"It is good to have him back.

"When we signed him, we were looking for a player who could play between the lines as a second striker with quality.

"He has game intelligence, which is something we are always looking for."

Voronin featured for Liverpool in their pre-season friendly against St Gallen on Wednesday, which finished 0-0.

Agent: Lavezzi Turned Down Move To Liverpool

Argentine international and Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, nicknamed 'El Pocho' which means the chubby one, has turned down the opportunity to join Liverpool.

Talking exclusively to Sport.co.uk Lavezzi's agent Frederic Guerra revealed that Rafa Benitez was keen on the international, but admitted that the 24 year-old was only interested in staying in Italy with Napoli.

Talking to Editor Nigel Brown, Guerra said: “Liverpool, well I know many people in Liverpool but i'm afraid he doesn't want to change club. He is happy at Napoli. They are interested but he doesn't want change.”

Lavezzi scored seven goals in thirty appearances for Napoli last season.

Glen Johnson Lives Reds Dream

Glen Johnson has spoken of his pride after pulling on a red shirt for the first time.

The most expensive defender in Liverpool’s history fulfilled a childhood dream when he took to the field for Rafa Benitez’s side in the second half of last night’s goalless draw with St Gallen.

Johnson was happy with the way his run out went in Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly and thanked his team-mates for helping him to settle in quickly.

“Pulling that shirt on for the first time definitely lived up to my expectations,” said Liverpool’s £16m right-back.

“I know it was only a friendly game but it was my chance to finally get that shirt on my back so I’m really pleased about that.

“But obviously the big thing for me now is the thought of playing for Liverpool at Anfield – I can’t wait for that.

“The lads have been brilliant to me since I got here. It isn’t easy when you move to a new club and when I first arrived I think there were about 50 professionals there.

“Obviously it’s hard to remember all of their names straight away but the lads have been fantastic from the start.

“It’s nice when you know a couple before you start, as was the case for me.

“But, like I said, absolutely everyone has been great to me.”

Johnson played the entire second half in an unfamiliar left-back role, a position he has also been filling in during sessions at Liverpool’s pre-season training camp in Badra Gaz.

Benitez told the ECHO the temporary positional switch is designed to bring the best out of the 24-year old defensively.

“Johnson did well,” said the Reds boss. “I was using him on the left because he has to think more about his defending there.

“We know that he is really good going forward and in this game he played well in defence and well in attack so it was good.

“If he is playing left-back it means he cannot go in attack in the same way because he is not quite as comfortable with his left foot as he is with his right so this means he will think more about defending.”

Ever the perfectionist, Benitez may have been delighted to see his team create chances in their first friendly but he was unimpressed with the two or three opportunities they allowed the Swiss side.

“The team was good in attack and we created some chances which is always good,” he added. “I am a little disappointed because we gifted them three chances but then it is pre-season, we have a lot of new players so the understanding is not where it needs to be yet and neither is the fitness.”

English Angle: Ten Things Rafa Benitez Should Do Before Selling Xabi Alonso

Liverpool fans, it’s time to be honest – Xabi Alonso is all but on his way to Real Madrid. You didn’t want it to happen, he (initially) didn’t want it to happen, and perhaps even Rafael Benitez didn’t want it to happen, despite his previous attempts to sell off his fellow Spaniard.

Considering that the boy from the Basque Country has just come off a season in which he displayed the sort of composure, consistency and class that even Steven Gerrard never could in a central playmaking role, it would be sheer madness to even consider selling him... right?

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of suggestions that will hopefully keep Benitez so busy – and satisfy his financial, squad-balancing and Madrid-pleasing needs – that he simply won’t have time to ditch one of his most valuable players.

So, without further ado...

Ten Things Rafa Benitez Should Do Before Selling Xabi Alonso:

10. Shave the goatee. C’mon now, Raf – it’s had a good run, but it’s time to move on. You need a fresh look. Maybe a Mohawk.

9. Throw away that heart-shaped pendant with a picture of Gareth Barry inside. The moment’s gone. He’s run off with Sparky Hughes and there’s nothing you can do about it – his bank balance is bigger.

8. Buy back Robbie Keane. With Xabi gone, someone will have to step into the first team – thus leaving a space open on the bench for the impish (and very, very expensive) Irishman.

7. Sell Fernando Torres and bring back Emile Heskey. Offloading your most influential players is all the rage, apparently. ‘El Nino’ suffered through injury last term, so he’s in danger of being traded in for an inferior, English equivalent (as per Xabi-Barry last summer).

6. Make David N’Gog captain. He is the future, of course, and will be an ‘Untouchable’ once Torres’ move to Tranmere Rovers is completed. The most talented Frenchman ever to grace Anfield, Bruno Cheyrou notwithstanding...

5. Quadruple Lucas’ wages. It’s about time his salary matched his contribution to the team. I mean, he’s Brazilian – so surely he deserves it?

4. Give Alvaro Arbeloa to Real Madrid for free – and promise never to humiliate them by a record margin again. Does what it says on the tin. Five-goal drubbings begone!

3. Sell his stake in Pukka Pies. Not only would this provide an instant revenue boost, but the lack of freebie pastries would save millions in cash that would usually be spent on ever-roomier suits.

2. Flog all the club’s league titles and European Cups to Manchester City. They need history, Rafa needs money. It’s a win-win situation.

1. Rename the Kop the ‘Michael Owen Stand’. It’d be every bit as popular with the fans as selling one of the best midfielders in Europe.

Rafa Benitez Targets A “Perfect” Premier League Season

Rafa Benitez’s preparations for the 2009/10 campaign kick-off in earnest tonight – with the Reds boss targeting a “near-perfect” season.

Liverpool have closed the gap on champions Manchester United in recent seasons, from 11 points in 2007/08 to just four points last term.

But in order to make that final transition from nearly-men to champions, Benitez believes his side will have to enjoy a perfect campaign – which is why the pre-season preparations are so vital this summer.

“You have to do everything almost perfectly because in the Premier League you cannot lose many games,” said Benitez from the Reds’ training camp in Switzerland. “You need a good atmosphere, and we have a good squad now.

“The understanding is really good now between the players. The main thing for me is to be contenders.

“We have to be there in the top four and close, then see what happens.

“Chelsea, United and Arsenal are very strong, and this year you’ll have Tottenham, Aston Villa and City. It’s clearly the most difficult league.

“We are strong enough to beat anyone and we need to be consistent. We got 86 points – a record for the club in the Premier League – but we still need to improve. But we have a lot of confidence.”

Meanwhile, Benitez has a mix of senior players and youngsters for their pre-season friendlies in Switzerland.

The Spanish contingent and Argentina captain Javier Mascherano are enjoying an extended break, but record defensive signing Glen Johnson will get his first run-out in a red jersey, while skipper Steven Gerrard will also figure.

There will also be a rare appearance for Philipp Degen in his home country, after his debut season at Anfield was largely wrecked by injury.

“I think he’s the happiest man in the squad now – he can understand everyone!” joked Benitez. “He’s training very, very well and if he’s fit he’ll be a very good addition for us.

“We will try to use all the players. Our idea is to use one team in the first half and change it at half-time. The players have to compete for their positions. Philipp’s doing well, training hard and if he has no injuries maybe we will see the best of him.”

Rafa Benitez Wants Playing Time For Entire Liverpool Squad In Swiss Friendly

The highly anticipated debut of Glen Johnson at Liverpool is sure to be hampered by Rafa Benitez's admission that he wants to afford game time to all 24 of his named squad members on Wednesday night in Switzerland.

The Reds take on second-tier Swiss team FC St.Gallen at the AFG Arena as they kick off their pre-season friendly fixtures.

The Spanish tactician has focused on the youth element at the club of late, and looks to continue that theme as he opts to allow several of his fringe youngsters a chance to shine this week.

"We will try to use all the players," said Benitez on the club's official site. "Our idea is to use one team in the first half and change it at half-time.

"We have the video of their game against Basel and they were well organised - the manager knows what to do. The main thing for us is to get the match fitness - the result isn't too important even though we want to win every single game - but it will be interesting.

"The important thing is to see how the team is on the pitch and see the understanding between the players."

Liverpool: Rumours - Xabi Out Silva In

The latest rumour, not that it's a new latest rumour, is that Xabi Alonso will complete his move to Real Madrid at the end of this week and then David Silva will be brought in by Rafa.

Real are signing Xabi one minute but not the next, with them coming in with a higher offer, before lower it or losing interest all together the next, all of which is (or has) unsettled the Spanish international.

Rumour has it that Xabi will finally complete a move to Real for more than £30m at the end of this week, after our asking price was reached?

This is despite the fact that the Spanish club are believed to be unhappy at having to pay so much, which is tough!

If Real want Xabi then they have to pay what is asked, and if Xabi does want to leave then it's best that he does.

Plenty of players have been linked with moves to Anfield but should Xabi finally leave, as is now looking increasingly likely, then Valencia's David Silva, and a long term target of Rafa, is expected to arrive.

Once and for all it's time to end this saga, as it's dragged on far too long! If we can also conclude our pursuit of Silva successful that's even better.

Liverpool Turn To Young As Real Close On Alonso

Liverpool will be installed as the favourites to sign Aston Villa winger Ashley Young if Xabi Alonso is sold to Real Madrid.

That move is looking increasingly likely as the Spain international is keen on a switch to the Bernabeu and a £27million deal could be concluded by the end of the week.

Any cash being deposited in the Anfield coffers will not stay there long, however, as Rafa Benitez will make a move for England international Young before seeking a direct replacement for Alonso.

Liverpool are keen on Stewart Downing but consider Young to be an upgrade of the Middlesbrough winger.

Xabi Alonso Sets Weekend Deadline For Real Madrid Move

Xabi Alonso wants his future sorted out before the weekend but faces the dilemma of whether to go public on his desire to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid.

The Spain midfielder has reportedly already told Anfield boss Rafa Benitez that he wants to be part of the Bernabeu revolution and is said to be frustrated by the lack of progress on a deal.

Benitez has been determined to hold on to the 27-year-old all summer, privately quoting a prohibitive £40million price-tag, and will not back down unless Alonso forces a move with a transfer request or public declaration.

The midfielder does not want to follow the risky strategy but is keen for talks to re-open.

Bernabeu icon Raul has stepped up the pressure by enthusiastically welcoming the prospect of playing alongside Alonso.

'I would like him to come because Xabi Alonso is a great player,' said the Madrid captain.

'The decision is made by other people at the club and the technical body, who see what the team need.'

Liverpool are due to fly out for their Asian tour on Saturday and it is unclear whether Alonso will be on the flight.

Madrid have used various tactics in their pursuit of Alonso since Florentino Perez took over as president at the start of June and made a public pitch to bring him to Spain.

In recent days they have publicly said the deal looks unlikely without closing the door, though alternatives that have been lined up have proved either as difficult to sign or mere smokescreens.

They were knocked back immediately when going for Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi while signing Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal was seen as fraught with difficulty.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini would like to raid his former club Villarreal for Santi Cazorla, but the 24-year-old is seen as more of an attacking midfielder rather than an alternative to Alonso.

There is also a suggestion that Madrid have been in talks for several weeks with Javier Mascherano with the thinking that if one of Liverpool's midfielders leaves, it must be to them rather than rivals Barcelona.

Udinese's D'Agostino would be relatively easy to recruit, but it is thought Madrid are using their interest in the Italy international primarily to put pressure on Liverpool to lower their asking price.

The Spanish giants similarly tried to show the Reds they would not be ripped off by actually lowering their bid for Alonso to £20m earlier this week.

A compromise around £32m may well get their man, but there is still some distance between the clubs' respective valuation and Madrid are desperate to sell at least five players in the next few days to fund further spending.

Benitez has lined up Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani as a replacement for either Alonso or Mascherano, according to reports in Italy.

Dudek Wants Alonso Reunion

Jerzy Dudek is hopeful that his former team-mate Xabi Alonso can join him at Real Madrid this summer.

Real president Florentino Perez has made the Liverpool midfielder his next big transfer target but talks seem to have broken down.

The Reds are thought to value the Spaniard at around £30million while Real are said to only be prepared to part with £20million.

However Dudek, who played with Alonso for three seasons at Anfield, is hoping that the two clubs can come to an agreement.

"I don't know (what's happening) let's hope so," he told Sky Sports News.

"This club needs good players and Xabi is a good player."

Dudek also confirmed that pre-season at their training camp in Ireland was going well with world record signing Cristiano Ronaldo settling in quickly.

"I think we are happy with what is going to happen on this trip ahead of the new season," he added.

"Cristiano is a nice guy and he wants to help us and we are happy with this.

"We are on the stage where we have little contact with the ball but next week we have some games and we will see how he compares."

The former Feyenoord shot-stopper also pointed out that failure was not an option this term following their extravagant spending this summer.

"I don't think we have another possibility because at this stage we always think about winning La Liga and the Champions League," he added.

"We need to win the trophies, that is a clear message to us."

Daniel Agger Out With Back Injury

Rafa Benitez’s pre-season preparations have been hampered after Daniel Agger was ruled out of Liverpool’s first warm up match against St Gallen in Switzerland tonight.

The Danish defender has been forced to remain behind on Merseyside after suffering a recurrence of the back problem which ruled him out of action for more than a month of the last campaign.

Agger first picked up the injury while on international duty with Denmark last February and though he recovered to win his place back in Benitez’s starting line up towards the end of the season the problem flared up again at the weekend and the Reds boss has opted to take no chances on his fitness.

The 24-year-old is currently undergoing treatment at Melwood and will also miss Liverpool’s second friendly away to Rapid Vienna on Sunday.

But Benitez is hopeful that Agger will have recovered in time to take his place on the club’s trip to Thailand and Singapore although the Reds boss will take into account the effects that a gruelling long haul flight to the Far East could have on the centre back before making a final decision.

Agger’s absence has handed an opportunity for young Spanish defender Danny Ayala to show what he can do.

The 18-year-old does not yet have a squad number and was not initially included in Liverpool’s travelling party to take part in the Swiss training camp but with Agger ruled out Benitez drafted Ayala in and could even give him a run out against St Gallen.

Andrea Dossena's Agent Rubbishes Liverpool To Napoli Rumours

Andrea Dossena's agent Federico Pastorello has played down rumours linking the Liverpool defender with a move to Napoli.

Reports in the Italian media intensified this week when Pastorello was seen meeting with Napoli sporting director Pierpaolo Marino.

The papers were quick to jump to conclusions, claiming both men had met to discuss the possibilities of Dossena moving to the San Paolo.

However, the agent has denied those claims, insisting he met Marino for very different reasons.

"Dossena to Napoli? It was all a misunderstanding," Pastorello told Calciomercato.it.

"I was in Milan and so was Dossena. I met with Marino to discusss Morgan De Sanctis with him, and then I met Dossena afterwards in order to deal with some fiscal issues.

"The papers were quick to make a case, but there is nothing true in it. Dossena is a Liverpool player."

The Italian international was linked with Juventus in the past, but that trail went cold.

Javier Mascherano To Be Told: You’re Staying At Liverpool FC

Rafa Benitez will tell Javier Mascherano he will not be allowed to leave Liverpool when the Argentinian midfielder returns to pre-season training later this week.

The future of Mascherano – who became a father for the second time at the weekend – has been in question throughout the summer after the 25-year-old told the Reds boss that his wife was suffering from homesickness.

But with the likelihood of Xabi Alonso quitting Anfield increasing with every passing day, Benitez would be loathe to lose Mascherano as well and see his entire first choice central midfield wiped out in the space of a few weeks.

Mascherano has been attracting interest from Barcelona with Nou Camp boss Pep Guardiola keen to employ him behind Andres Iniesta and Xavi in the European champions’ engine room.

Benitez is desperate to hang on to the Argentina captain though and has already made it clear he is not looking to cash in on a player he regards as one of the finest defensive midfielders in world football.

With Mascherano due to join up with his team mates at pre-season training in Switzerland in the coming days Benitez will take the opportunity to tell the former West Ham man that he won’t be going anywhere because he is needed for Liverpool’s assault on the Premier League title in the coming season.

Contrary to reports, there are as yet no plans to offer the player a new contract as a sweetener with Mascherano just 18 months into a four year deal signed in February 2008.

Benitez is hoping that the lure of possible glory with Liverpool rather than an increased pay packet will be enough to convince Mascherano that his future remains at Anfield.

Only if Mascherano commits himself to the Liverpool cause once again will a new contract become a possibility.

Johnson Fee Is Fine - Benitez

Liverpool's new £17m full-back Glen Johnson will make his Liverpool debut in Switzerland on Wednesday with boss Rafael Benitez insisting he is worth the money.

Johnson will play in Liverpool's first pre-season friendly against St Gallen.

Benitez admits, like Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, that the transfer market has gone mad this summer.

The Spaniard said: "Yes, the money people are asking is crazy. I hear, for example, that people at Seville are asking for 41m euros for Daniel Alves. That is a lot.

"The market is crazy, but you must pay good money for good players.

"The money for Johnson is OK. He is English, an international with quality and he is worth the money.

"He is a very good attacking player. If you try to buy a winger it can be £50m to £60m at current prices, but Johnson as an offensive full-back can give us more options.

"He can be good for us, especially when we are at home and teams are defending against us. Going forward he will give us something different, something special. He is a good addition for us."

Benitez has 24 players at the club's Swiss training camp, and says: "We will try to use all the players. Our idea is to use one team in the first half and change it at half-time.

"We have the video of their recent game against Basel and they were well organised - the manager knows what to do. The main thing for us is to get the match fitness, the result is not too important even though we want to win every single game - but it will be interesting.

"The important thing is to see how the team is on the pitch and see the understanding between the players."

Apart from Johnson, Benitez will want to run the rule over a batch of youngsters with the squad. Martin Kelly, Mikel San Jose, Daniel Pacheco, Peter Gulacsi, Daniel Ayala and Krisztian Nemeth will all have a chance to impress.

Liverpool will be joined by Javier Mascherano on Thursday after he became a father for the second time at the weekend, which has delayed his arrival in Switzerland.

Transfer speculation still revolves around the Argentina captain, as well as Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is due to join up with the squad on Sunday after the friendly with Rapid Vienna in the Austrian capital.

Despite Real Madrid's continued interest, Alonso is due to travel to the Far East with Liverpool for next week's two friendlies against Thailand and Singapore.

Benitez has also made it clear that Mascherano - despite interest from Barcelona -- will be expected to honour his contract, which still has over two years to run.

Benitez said recently: It is clear that they both (Alonso and Mascherano) are under contract with long-term agreements."

Alonso has asked Benitez to allow him to join Real Madrid, but the Liverpool manager will not sell below £30m.

Agent Claims Hungarian Quintet To Have Trial With Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has reportedly offered a quintet of potential Hungarian starlets for a trial at Anfield.

The clutch of players are goalkeeper Attila Abu, midfielders Krisztian Adorjan and Patrik Vass, striker Peter Horvath and defender Patrik Poor, who are all currently playing in the youth academy at MTK Budapest.

Their agent, Tibor Pataky, claims The Reds have shown plenty of interest in his clients and it will be the second visit to England for midfielders Adorjan and Vass.

"All of the players have been observed at least three times by a Liverpool scout, what's more at the end of May the new director of the Liverpool Academy, Frank McParland, went to Hungary to check the players' abilities," the agent told Pepsifoci.

"He invited five players to Liverpool. Krisztian Adorjan and Patrik Vass go to Liverpool for the second time, a year-and-a-half ago they trained with the youth team of Liverpool and played a game in England."

Liverpool already have quite a wealth of Hungarian talent at the club, including striker Kirsztian Nemeth, goalkeeper Peter Gulasci and midfielder Zsolt Poloski.

Hernanes: Rafa To Replace Alonso With Brilliant Brazilian At Liverpool

Interest is mounting for Brazilian hot property Hernanes who is strongly linked with a move to Italy but has also attracted the interest of a number of Premier League sides.

Liverpool are the latest club to be linked with the playmaker in the Brazilian press with claims that Rafa Benitez will replace want-away midfield schemer Xabi Alonso with the talented South American.

The 24-year-old’s full name is Anderson Hernanes de Carvalho Andrade Lime and he currently plies his trade for Sao Paulo.

Hernanes has been linked to the likes of AC Milan and Juventus but the Italian clubs have struggled to raise the fee Sao Paulo are demanding. The midfield schemer’s club have ridiculed a recent attempt by AC to sign the player with Sao Paulo Technical Director Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes revealing to Globoesporte’s of the Italian club’s interest in their defender Miranda and Hernanes.

He had this to say, “I need to find how much a crate of bananas is worth, as that is how much they want to give us for both players.

We know that Milan ended the season in the red and not even the £60m from Kaka’s sale to Real Madrid was enough to balance the books.”

“If an offer does come for our two players, it is more likely to arrive from Spain, as their clubs are financially stronger.”

The player himself has spoken of his love for Serie A but the financial lure of the Premier League could sway the Brazilian to our shores. Hernanes revealed to the Gazzetta dello Sport, “I’m a player who loves to think on the pitch.”

“I understood that in every player there’s the time to evaluate and do the best things. My best qualities are probably dribbling with the ball and my hard shot.

“The comparison with Pirlo is very good, it definitely pleases me. He’s a complete player, probably the best midfielder in the world.

“I especially watch constantly the matches of Inter and Milan, also because there are many Brazilians. It would be something to be proud of and a pleasure to play in Italy one day.”

Hernanes has been touted as a readymade replacement for Real Madrid star Kaka at the San Siro after impressing in Brazil. He is far from a carbon copy of Kaka but has his own attributes; technically he is regarded as one of the best in his homeland especially as he is equally adept with both feet.

The 24-year-old is also extremely versatile and has played on both flanks as well as centrally as either and attacking or defensive midfielder. Unlike some Brazilians Hernanes is very much a team player and not one to over elaborate when a simple pass is available. His work rate is another plus point which explains why he is so highly regarded.

The Times report of the Top 50 rising stars of world football rated Hernanes the best prospect back in January and it’s easy to see why. The attacking midfielder came through the Sao Paulo youth academy breaking into the first team in 2005 when he made 16 league appearances (6 starts) and scored 3 goals. The following season he was loaned out to Santo Andre where he made a further 22 league appearances (7 starts) and scored 6 goals.

However, it was in 2007 when Hernanes came to the fore for Sao Paulo making 31 league appearances (29 starts) as his club won the Brazilian title before retaining the trophy in 2008. The 2nd title win resulted in Hernanes winning the Brazilian footballer of the year title and led to his first cap for his country in a 1-0 friendly win v Sweden in March 2008.

Hernanes also played for Brazil at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he won a bronze medal. Despite only playing 80 league matches for his club (67 starts) and scoring 11 goals, Hernanes has attracted the interest from the likes of European Champions Barcelona but where he’d fit into a side brimming with playmakers is debatable.

Instead Hernanes would be a great acquisition for Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool if chief playmaker Xabi Alonso is indeed sold. As the speculation mounts regarding the future of Alonso at Anfield a move for arguably the best player playing in Brazil could prove to be a masterstroke. The club are likely to make a profit from these two deals too. One thing’s for certain Brazil’s next big export will be a global name once he moves to Europe.