Liverpool Have Squad To Challenge For Title, Insists Benitez

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is uncertain how Ronaldo's departure will impact Manchester United's title challenge this season but is confident the Reds have the squad to match the defending champions.

United have only spent around a quarter of the £80million they received from Real Madrid for the Portugal winger on Antonio Valencia from Wigan and Bordeaux's Gabriel Obertan while Michael Owen joined the club after his Newcastle contract expired.

However, Carlos Tevez also left Old Trafford for Manchester City and it remains to be seen how both his and Ronaldo's exits will affect the Red Devils this season.

Benitez, whose only major signing so far this summer is full-back Glen Johnson, downplayed the significance of Ronaldo's departure but believes United's spending is not over despite Sir Alex Ferguson's previous claims to the contrary.

'I don't know," he said when asked if Ronaldo's switch to Real Madrid means Liverpool now have a better chance of winning the Premier League.

'I'm sure that they will have some money and they will buy some players so they will be strong but we've really improved with Glen (Johnson) so hopefully we can be a little bit better and it will be enough.'

City manager Mark Hughes has quickly set about spending some of the Middle Eastern owners' millions in the transfer market in an effort to break into the top four and bring Champions League football to Eastlands.

United boss Ferguson has, however, dismissed suggestions their city rivals will prove serious title contenders this season but Benitez was more guarded in his assessment of the Eastlands club's credentials.

'I think that every club now in the Premier League is trying to improve, City is one of them so you never know,' he added.

'At least I would like to be there at the top of the table and be contenders but I cannot say too much about the other teams.'

Glen Johnson Eyes Premier League Glory With Liverpool FC

New signing Glen Johnson is aiming to reproduce the form that won him an England recall last season as he eyes Premier League glory with Liverpool.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez signed the full-back from Portsmouth for a reported £17million following an impressive season on the south coast that saw Fabio Capello restore him to the national team after an absence of almost three years.

Johnson made an encouraging debut in the recent pre-season friendly with St Gallen and his versatility may also prove a useful asset to Benitez, with the 24-year-old able to operate at right or left-back as well as in midfield.

"I just want to play with the consistency I did last year and, hopefully, with the attacking play and the defensive side that I’ve improved on," he said.

"I’d just like to be doing that week in, week out again.

"They’re (Liverpool) right up there with the world’s best and they showed that by how close they came last season so a few minor errors that could be cut out and there will be massive improvements.

"It’s a whole different club, the organization and the professionalism of all the staff makes a difference."

Johnson is Benitez’s only major signing of the summer to date as he plots to go one better than last season’s runners-up finish in the Barclays Premier League.

Babel Ready To Repay The Faith Insists Benitez

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Ryan Babel will justify the faith he has shown in him – starting with tomorrow’s friendly against Thailand in Bangkok.

The 22-year-old Dutchman has struggled to live up to his £11.5million price tag since he arrived from Ajax two years ago.

However, Benitez has resisted the temptation to offload the winger and is backing Babel to be a major hit at Anfield next season.

“We have been really impressed with Ryan,” Benitez said.

“He worked hard in the summer and he came back really fit.

“He’s trying to do his best and that’s very positive when you have a player with his talent.

“The first two years in a foreign country are always difficult. Now he has the right mentality and I’m sure he will improve.”

The Reds touched down in Thailand yesterday after a 10-hour flight from Vienna and received a hero’s welcome in the capital Bangkok.

They face Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 2pm UK time) before making the short trip to play Singapore on Sunday.

After a goalless stalemate with St Gallen and a 1-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna, Benitez is looking for a big improvement.

The 28-man squad has been boosted by the return of Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera, Alvaro Arbeloa, Andrea Dossena and Javier Mascherano following their extended summer breaks.

"For us this is a really important stage of the season," Benitez said.

“Everything we do is preparing the players for the first Premier League game. We must spend this time getting them match fit and working on tactics.

“We analysed what happened last year and know what we can improve on. This time is crucial to what we achieve when the season starts.

“We will continue to prepare them well this week and look to play well in the games.

“It was disappointing to lose in Vienna and you can’t be happy when you don’t win but there were lots of positives to take from the game.

“Hopefully we can keep working well and keep working hard over here.”

Benitez refused to be drawn on Alonso’s future – despite a barrage of questions about where the midfielder will be playing next season.

The midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid but he is expected to play some part in tomorrow’s fixture.

“Xabi Alonso is with us and available,” Benitez said. “His future is to enjoy his time here this week with the people in Thailand – enjoy the weather, the game and the journalists. For the next week he will be here.

“We will talk together about tactics, prepare for the game and try to enjoy our football.

“We have a lot of respect for our fans here so we will try to use all the senior players.

“But the Spanish players and Dossena and Mascherano arrived back late because of the Confederations Cup and internationals, so they will probably not play as much as the other players.”

Meanwhile, Benitez is unlikely to be conducting any transfer business while he’s away after insisting he’s happy with the make up of his squad.

“We have already signed Glen Johnson, an England international, who is a very good signing,” he said.

“Also Andriy Voronin has come back after being one of the best players in the German League.”

Liverpool Set For Aquilani Talks

Il Corriere dello Sport understands Liverpool have flown to Italy for talks with Roma about the prospect of signing Alberto Aquilani.

Yesterday Roma fans staged a protest expressing their anger at the club's lack of activity in the transfer market this summer.

As takeover talks come to a standstill and with no new investment in sight, Roma will have to sell if they are to buy ahead of next season.

Reports suggest Liverpool have identified Aquilani as the perfect replacement for Xabi Alonso, who appears ready to leave for Real Madrid.

Il Corriere believes Roma have told Aquilani that they will sell him should a decent offer arrive.

The 25-year-old who was born and bred in Rome struggled with injury last season, but also signed a new contract a couple of months ago.

Yesterday his agent, Franco Zavaglia, denied the existence of an offer from Liverpool.

“For now, they have not contacted me. I don't know anything. For now, there is nothing concrete,” Zavaglia said.

Roma have made a habit of selling one of their jewels every summer for the last three years.

Duffen Denies Reds Rumours

Hull City chairman Paul Duffen has dismissed reports that he is a contender to become Liverpool's new chief executive.

Liverpool are aiming to appoint a new chief executive after Rick Parry left his position at Anfield at the end of last season.

Reports had claimed that Duffen was to be put on a short-list of candidates to replace Parry on Merseyside.

However, Duffen has branded the speculation 'ridiculous' and insists his focus is on helping manager Phil Brown improve his squad.

"It's a great example of the silly season at work, it's ridiculous," Duffen told the Hull Daily Mail.

"I am completely focused on working with the manager and strengthening the squad for next season."

Duffen has been with the Tigers for the past two years and also holds a shareholding in the Premier League club.

Benitez Expects United Spending

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez expects Premier League title rival Sir Alex Ferguson to use his world-record transfer profits to strengthen Manchester United this summer.

The Red Devils earned a staggering £80million up front from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid this summer to significantly boost funds at Old Trafford.

But despite repeated reports linking him with Franck Ribery and Sergio Aguero, Ferguson has claimed that he will not spend any more money before transfer deadline day.

Benitez, though, believes his opposite number, who has bought Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan while also signing free agent Michael Owen, will venture into the transfer market before the end of August.

"I am sure they will have money and they will buy some players," said the Liverpool boss when asked about United.

Benitez is confident Liverpool will again be able to compete with United in the new season after finishing runners-up in the last campaign.

The Reds have signed Glen Johnson from Portsmouth and Benitez feels the England full-back will add a necessary edge.

"We have to be strong next season. We have improved with Glen and hopefully we can do a little bit better and that will be enough," he said.

Benitez is also aware of the emerging threat of Manchester City, who have spent big this summer on the likes of Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez.

"I think every club now is trying to improve and Manchester City is one of them," he said.

"I would like to be there at the top of the table and be contending but I cannot say too much on the other teams."

Liverpool FC Keen To Build On Incredible Passion Of Far East Fans

When Ian Ayre took over as Liverpool’s commercial director two years ago he didn’t need telling what huge potential there was for the club in Asia.

Having spent 15 years living on this vast continent he had seen for himself the passion and devotion of its football supporters.

And in particular a deep love for Liverpool Football Club.

Six years may have passed since the Reds’ last trip to Thailand but the reception Rafa Benitez and his players received on their arrival in Bangkok yesterday proved that love is undiminished.

The arrival of the Spaniard along with Ryan Babel and Jamie Carragher at a press conference in the team’s stunning Royal Hyatt Erawan Hotel sparked a major scrum and that was just amongst the waiting local media.

Outside hundreds of fans had queued for hours in the searing 33 degree heat and energy-sapping 70% humidity to catch a glimpse of their heroes. Most were decked out in the club’s colours with some even boasting swine flu protective face marks adorned with the LFC crest.

For Ayre, the Reds’ arrival for the week-long tour of Thailand and Singapore was the culmination of nine months hard graft for him and his commercial team.

”Having lived in Malaysia, Hong Kong and China nobody is more aware than me of the power of Liverpool Football Club and of football generally in Asia,” he said.

“Commercially we have a genuine opportunity to do really well here.

“The big difficulty was choosing where to go. Thailand is a great example of a market where we have lots and lots of fans but there are plenty of others. But by choosing Thailand and Singapore we captured most of South East Asia and made it possible for fans from other countries to come and see the team.

“We started planning this trip last October and a lot of work has gone into it.”

This tour will undoubtedly raise the Reds’ profile and provide a welcome boost to the club’s balance sheet but Ayre insists there is much more to this trip than trying to flog more replica shirts.

“It’s less about what we are trying to get out of it and more what we are trying to put in,” he said.

“We build our business on the basis of having fans all around the world who support us and contribute by buying.

“Touring is about giving a bit back and that’s why we’ve brought a really strong squad here.

“Liverpool have been coming on tour to Asia for many years. But the difference now is that we are trying to be a bit more commercially aware.

“We are making sure people know we are here and try to make a bit more of an impact so we continue to grow in that way.

“Most of the tickets for these matches were sold through Adidas outlets rather than the traditional route of selling through ticket agencies. We also used Carlsberg and other retail outlets.

“We also attracted local sponsors with the likes of Tesco, Honda and the tourist authority of Thailand.

“They are taking the opportunity to be associated with Liverpool in this short period.”

Liverpool Insist Asian Tour Is About Fans, Not Money

Liverpool have insisted that the fans, not commercial opportunities, are the reason that they are undertaking their Asian tour.

Many see tours such as this as purely for financial benefit, but the Reds' commercial director, Ian Ayre, told the club's official website, "We have a duty to contribute to these football markets and to our supporters over here.

"We have in place a strong legacy program encompassing many different initiatives and which can be broken down into different areas. For example, we have a knowledge transfer program at which Rafa [Benitez] will meet coaches from Thailand and Singapore, I will be meeting representatives from the local businesses and the medical team will also be having sessions.

"We will be running a kids' program with open training sessions to try and show people what we do and how we do it.

"The important thing is that when our plane lands back in Liverpool there will still be things going on in our name over here which we can continue to support."

Liverpool's first match on tour is against Thailand on Wednesday, before they fly out to Singapore.

Steven Gerrard 'Launched Volley Of Punches'

England footballer Steven Gerrard launched a volley of uppercut punches at a man in a row over music, a court heard today.

The millionaire star "totally lost it" and attacked Marcus McGee, 34, "with the style and speed of a professional boxer" in a 2am bar brawl, it is alleged.

Gerrard was at the Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside on 29 December to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 demolition of Newcastle United hours earlier.

The Reds' captain, who scored twice in the game, was enjoying a night out with a party of friends including Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, 58.

But trouble flared when Mr. McGee refused to hand over a card controlling the CD player.

The victim was in charge of music for the venue after being given the card to pick songs for a staff party in an adjacent room to Gerrard's group.

David Turner QC, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court Gerrard asked McGee for the card, saying: "Here y'are lad. Give me that lad."

Mr. Turner said: "Mr. McGee took offence at his attitude and the expression 'lad' and he refused.

"Not many people on Merseyside, or indeed anywhere else, would refuse a request from Steven Gerrard but Mr. McGee did.

"There can be no doubt that this refusal astounded Steven Gerrard.

"He walked away back to his party but the CCTV shows how much his mood had changed.

"He was no longer the centre of that high-spirited party.

"He was clearly walking around pondering, musing over what had happened - about the man who said 'no' to Steven Gerrard."

Several minutes later CCTV showed Gerrard returning to the victim who was sitting alone at the bar and allegedly confronting him with the words: "Who the f*** do you think you are?"

Mr. McGee stood up and the pair were head to head, Mr. Turner said, "in the sort of hostile confrontation that is often seen between professional footballers".

The barrister added: "Steven Gerrard had clearly lost his cool: he was angry with Marcus McGee."

The situation attracted the millionaire's friends.

One, John Doran, who has admitted affray, pushed McGee away but "could not resist following through with his right elbow into Mr McGee's face", said Mr. Turner.

"We say at this stage Gerrard totally lost it.

"Almost immediately after the blow from John Doran, in fact within seconds, Steven Gerrard joined in the attack with a succession of well aimed uppercut punches delivered with the style and speed of a professional boxer rather than a professional footballer."

In police interview Gerrard said he punched Mr. McGee because he believed he was going to be attacked.

But warning the seven women and five men of the jury, Mr. Turner said: "If you consider Steven Gerrard was or even may have been acting in self defense you will acquit.

"But we say on this occasion Steven Gerrard's fists, not his feet, did the talking.

"This was never self defense in a hundred years."

Gerrard sat in the dock throughout the proceedings listening carefully and looking straight ahead.

As well as Doran, of Woodlands Road, Huyton, Merseyside, five other men admitted affray.

They were Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport.

Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, both Huyton, admitted affray.

John McGrattan, 34, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, admitted threatening behavior after denying affray.

Proceedings will resume tomorrow morning when it is expected Mr. McGee will give evidence.

Match Report: Rapid Vienna 1 - 0 LiverpooL

Liverpool slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Rapid Vienna in their latest pre-season friendly in Austria.

Rapid skipper Steffen Hofmann netted the only goal with a second half free-kick to see off a strong Reds side which included Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Yossi Benayoun.

Gerrard and Carragher played the first 45 minutes while Benayoun and Holland international Dirk Kuyt came on at the break as manager Rafael Benitez plenty of changes.

England defender Glen Johnson was not part of the matchday squad, however, after Benitez opted not to risk him after he took a slight knock to his Achilles in Wednesday's goalless draw against St Gallen.

Rapid had the better of the first half with Erwin Hoffer seeing a goal disallowed for offside while the same player saw a close-range effort well saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri.

The goal came after 57 minutes when Hofmann curled a low free-kick past Cavalieri's replacement Peter Gulacsi.

Stefan Maierhofer had another goal disallowed for offside before, at the other end, Benayoun saw a free-kick well saved by Raimund Hedl.

Benitez introduced Javier Mascherano with 25 minutes to go and the Argentinian's appearance roused the visitors with Kuyt twice coming close.

Benayoun also came close late on but Liverpool could not find an equalizer.

Rafa Benitez Hails Performance Of Liverpool Youngsters Despite Loss To Rapid Vienna

Liverpool were beaten 1-0 this evening in Austria, as they lost to Rapid Vienna in a pre-season game in which they struggled to build momentum and find quality.

Nevertheless, manager Rafa Benitez was delighted with the displays of several of the younger members of his squad and felt that the game was a valuable learning experience, despite the defeat, with performances of young Spanish duo Daniel Ayala and Daniel Pacheco attracting particular praise.

"I don't like to talk too much about individuals but both players were doing well," the coach told the Reds' official website.

"They're both young and when they come with the first team you always want to see something different. I am pleased for them and also with Jay Spearing because he played as a left full-back as we have some problems in this position at this moment.

"The other positives were to play a lot of players we wanted to play - it is all part of our preparations. We needed match fitness and we changed the majority of the players after 45 minutes - that was the idea.

"In terms of what we wanted from the game, only the result was wrong."

New right-back Glen Johnson was missing from the game, but Benitez insisted that nothing sinister should be read into his absence, concluding, "He has a small problem with his Achilles tendon but it is not serious," said Benitez. "Him not playing was a precaution."

Dirk Kuyt Hopes Liverpool Can Hang Onto Javier Mascherano & Xabi Alonso

Key Liverpool duo Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, respective targets for Barcelona and Real Madrid, played pivotal roles in the club's success last season, and tireless forward Dirk Kuyt explained today that it is great to have the pair back with the squad in time for pre-season training.

Alonso had, earlier this week, intimated his pride at being a prominent member of Real Madrid's wishlist, as the Spanish giants hone in on further Galactico recruitments following the mega-money acquisitions of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Kaka.

The Reds' ambiguous financial future - with parent company Kop Holdings Ltd's fiscal numbers reportedly dwindling - it has been speculated that at least one of the two will be sold, and Mascherano crops up on Barcelona's wishlist, too.

However, Dirk Kuyt today explained to the Liverpool Echo that, “It’s really good to have them back and it’s good to see all the other lads also.
“We have a very good team which we showed last year and now we want to improve in the coming season and hopefully we can do that,” he concluded.

Alonso was close to a move last summer, where Arsenal allegedly attempted to prise the deep-lying playmaker away from Anfield for a cut-price £15 million fee. The Spaniard is now likely to fetch £30 million.

Xabi Alonso: Real Madrid’s Project Is Impressive But I Won’t Force Liverpool Exit

Real Madrid have spent the last few weeks haggling with Liverpool to take Xabi Alonso to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spanish giants are hell-bent on acquiring the Spanish international, but the Merseysiders have stubbornly refused to lower their asking price as the two clubs continue to wrangle back and forth.

The midfielder himself has so far refused to demand an unceremonious departure from Anfield, but he did admit that he is particularly interested in Florentino Perez’s Galacticos reincarnation.

“It’s always a great feeling when Madrid want you, especially considering the phase of the career I am in now,” he told AS in a brief interview prior to his trip to Vienna to join up with the rest of the Reds squad for pre-season preparations.

“But at this point, as I have always said, whether or not that can happen is not up to me. It’s a matter that involves three parties, including myself.

“I do not like to force the issue. I prefer to talk.

“Madrid’s project is certainly impressive. But beyond that, I can’t tell you anything else.”

Xabi reaffirmed that he intends to hold discussions with Rafael Benitez to persuade the gaffer to let him go.

“I will talk to him, sure, but the first thing to do when I arrive [in Austria] is to greet him,” he professed.

“But I imagine that in the next few days, there will be time for all that, even though in reality, there’s nothing in particular to talk to Rafa about. It’s the clubs who have to negotiate to reach an agreement.”

And when he was asked why the Reds had declined to accept Madrid’s prior bid of €27 million, Xabi replied, “I am not the man who can answer these questions.

“The truth is that I cannot say much, because every little thing can be misinterpreted. And I do not know how things will turn out either because I am not a fortune teller.”

Andrea Dossena Calls Roma Ace Alberto Aquilani To Liverpool

Despite flirting with Juventus this summer, Liverpool and Italy left-back Andrea Dossena is now expected to remain in England and has urged Roma midfield star Alberto Aquilani to try his hand in the Premier League.

Speculation is rife in the peninsula that the Reds have set their sights on Aquilani and are set to lodge a formal bid to lure ‘Il Principino’ to Anfield.

“Aquilani is destined to improve even more and could do so even more quickly under a great coach like [Liverpool boss Rafael] Benitez,” Dossena told laroma.net.

“A player like him can comfortably play for Liverpool or any other club. He was sidelined due to physical problems last season and could not be at his best, but he has proved to be a great footballer.

“Aquilani can do well in the Premier League, even though it is a more physical league than Serie A.”

Aquilani is reportedly Benitez’s first choice to replace Xabi Alonso, who is being courted by Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid.

“Benitez is very good at setting up the team and moving it around,” mused Dossena.

“He has many solutions at his disposal and could employ Aquilani in different ways.”

Press reports are suggesting that Liverpool are prepared to table an €18 million bid for Aquilani and offer him a lavish five-year deal worth €3m-per-year.

Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez Rules Out Move For Valencia Striker David Villa

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has ruled out a move for Valencia striker David Villa.

The 27-year-old Spain international has been linked with a whole host of Europe's top clubs throughout the summer, but Benitez has ruled out Liverpool as potential suitors.

"David Villa, he is not our target," the 49-year-old former Valencia manager told PA Sport.

England defender Glen Johnson is the only major arrival at Anfield so far this summer, however, Benitez has not ruled out the possibility of more new faces joining the club before the end of August.

"We have already signed Johnson, an international for England. He is a good signing and Andriy Voronin is coming back, he was one of the best players in the German league, so we have two good additions," he said.

"You never know in football, we still have some time and we need to keep working on other names.

"We have fantastic players and hopefully we can keep the level of last year, and with one or two additions we could improve a little bit. At the moment we are very pleased."

Meanwhile, the Reds manager has refused to discuss the long-term future of Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid are reportedly eager to finalize a deal to land the 27-year-old as soon as possible, and Alonso has admitted that a move to the Spanish capital would be an interesting proposition.

Despite all the speculation, Benitez has confirmed that Alonso is part of the Reds squad embarking on a two-match tour of Thailand and Singapore, insisting that the Euro 2008 winner remains a Liverpool player, for now at least.

"Xabi Alonso is here with us so he will be available," Benitez said.

Carragher Targets Final Step

Jamie Carragher is determined to help Liverpool end their title drought in the 2009/10 campaign.

The Reds came agonizingly close to landing the top flight title for the first time in 19 years last term, only to be pipped by old foes Manchester United.

There is an air of expectation around Anfield that the Holy Grail is now within sight, though, with United having parted company with Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez this summer.

With Arsenal still in a transition period, and with Chelsea yet to spend big in the transfer market, Liverpool are widely expected to be among the frontrunners once again this season.

Carragher believes Rafa Benitez's men are capable of mounting a sustained title tilt and admits everyone connected with the club will be doing their utmost to bring the Premier League crown to Merseyside.

"We had a very good season in the league last year but we realize that if we can improve that by one or two per cent that may be enough and that's what we're trying to do," he said.

"We took Manchester United very close last year and we realize them and also Chelsea will come back and maybe Manchester City as well so there's a lot of competition

"Hopefully the pre-season games we can improve and get better and make sure we're ready for Tottenham (the first game of the new season) and go one step further than we did last year."

Phil Brown Denies That Hull City Have Contacted Liverpool About Andriy Voronin

Hull City manager Phil Brown has denied that the Yorkshire club are targeting Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin, as they look to bring in striking reinforcements ahead of the start of the new Premier League campaign next month.

Brown has missed out on a number of strikers so far this summer, with Frazier Campbell, Michael Owen, Daryl Murphy and Marc-Antoine Fortune all opting for destinations other than the KC Stadium, after being targeted by the Tigers' manager.

Voronin spent a fruitful season on loan at Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin last campaign, after being deemed surplus to requirements by Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. He has returned to Anfield now though, and has vowed to fight for his place in the Reds' first team.

"We have not made any contact with Liverpool with regards to Andriy Voronin," Brown told Sky Sports.

Despite that denial however, Brown did acknowledge that the Ukrainian was a player in whom he would be interested were he available, stating, when asked if Voronin was a player who could interest him, "Of course he would."

Gerrard Appears In Court On Affray Charges

England midfielder Steven Gerrard was in the dock on Monday as jurors waited to be called to try his affray case.

The Liverpool captain, 29, stood next to his six co-accused at Liverpool Crown Court in a dark grey suit and black suede shoes.

The millionaire star took his place behind the glass sealed dock in courtroom 4:1 as Judge Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, adjourned the hearing for legal discussions.

The midfielder arrived early at court to meet his solicitor Richard Green for discussions ahead of the trial opening. The father-of-two is accused of affray - which he denies.

It is alleged Gerrard was involved in a nightclub melee in Southport in the early hours of December 29 in which businessman Marcus McGee, 34, was injured.

Gerrard was celebrating Liverpool's 5-1 demolition of Newcastle when trouble began.

Gerrard, of Formby, Merseyside, is jointly charged with Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport and midfielder Robert Grant, 18, of Enstone Road, Litherland.

Also on trial are John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, Ian Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, John McGrattan, 33, of Rimmer Avenue, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all of Huyton, Merseyside.

Following further legal submissions, the case was adjourned again until Tuesday morning without a jury being sworn in. The trial is scheduled to last between two and three weeks.

Napoli Are Interested In Liverpool Defender Andrea Dossena

The press continue to link Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena with a move back to Serie A and the player's agent, Roberto Laflorio, has confirmed interest from Napoli.

"Napoli like the player, but if they want him they must speak with the British club first," he told Radio Marte.

"I don't know if the English club really want to sell him. I spoke with Andrea and he said if an offer from Naples comes then he will discuss it with his family."

Dossena has struggled since moving to the Reds last summer, only managing 16 appearances in the Premier League in 2008-09. Napoli director Pierpaolo Marino has confirmed that the club will bring in a left-back, but has not named anyone specifically.

The 27-year-old has 10 caps for Italy since making his national team debut in 2007.

Rafa Looks For His Silva Lining

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is closing in on Valencia’s David Silva with the increasing likelihood that Real Madrid will land £30million-rated Anfield star Xabi Alonso.

Alonso fell out with Benitez last summer after efforts were made to offload him to Juventus to raise the money for a move for England midfielder Gareth Barry. Now he is anxious to join Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and company at the Bernabeu.

And Alonso has ignored Benitez’s call for him to stay and show some loyalty after the events of a year ago.

Liverpool have also been holding out for around £30m for the player they signed from Real Sociedad for £10m five years ago.

Now it seems Real Madrid are close to offering that figure for 27-year-old Alonso.

Importantly for Liverpool, a clause which entitles Real Sociedad to 20 per cent of any sell-on fee has now expired.

Benitez will quickly try to bring long-term target Silva, 23, to Anfield even though he may have to smash the club’s transfer record of £20m for Fernando Torres to do it.

Valencia have serious debt problems but they have still been playing hard-ball over their two prized assets, Silva and his Spanish international team-mate striker David Villa, 27, who is wanted by Barcelona and Chelsea.

They want £40m for Villa and £25m for Silva. With £30m from Alonso’s expected sale, Benitez will have the funds to try to push the deal through for midfielder Silva.

Benitez, though, is determined to resist Barcelona’s overtures for his Argentinian defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano, 25.