Benitez Is Satisfied With Liverpool FC's Asia Workout

Rafa Benitez insists he is happy with Liverpool’s pre-season build-up, despite a winless start to their summer program.

The Reds arrived in Singapore for the second leg of their Far East tour yesterday following their 1-1 draw with Thailand in Bangkok.

Previously they were held 0-0 by St Gallen and lost 1-0 to Rapid Vienna, but Benitez has urged fans not to read too much into those results.

“I think our pre-season is going well,” he said.

“It is very difficult when you have a lot of players away who come back much later.

“For example Fernando Torres and the rest of the Spanish players have trained for only three days.

“On Wednesday he played 10 minutes and was very good, but after three days training I wasn’t expecting a performance like that.

“It’s impossible to make any judgments when players have only trained for a few days.

“We have to analyze the team after maybe two more weeks.”

The Reds were set to train twice today as they stepped up their preparations for Sunday’s clash with the Singapore national team.

“For us to be here is a great experience,” Benitez added.

“For the club it’s a great opportunity and we have to approach it in a positive way.

“Hopefully we won’t have any more injuries and we will be able to train properly.”

The club denied speculation that a fee had been agreed with Real Madrid for Xabi Alonso and Benitez once again refused to comment on the midfielder’s future. Alonso missed the game against Thailand with an ankle injury.

Benitez hit back at reports Javier Mascherano’s agent had said the Argentine was keen to quit the Reds.

“Like I said before, Alonso will enjoy the weather, the fans and the journalists,” Benitez said. “If he is ready by Sunday then he will play.

“As for Mascherano, you have a big problem now in the press.

“There are too many websites, too many newspapers, too many radio and TV stations who have to compete every day.

“It seems sometimes you read news that is 15 days out of date.”

Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar were due to arrive back in Liverpool today after injury cut short their stay in the Far East.

Skrtel suffered a hamstring problem against Thailand and El Zhar damaged knee ligaments.

Both will undergo scans at Melwood in order to reveal the extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid sporting director Miguel Pardeza revealed the Alonso deal is in limbo, but he still hopes to buy full-back Alvaro Arbeloa.

“From day one, Liverpool have asked for more than Madrid are ready to pay (for Alonso) and it’s very difficult to understand,” he said.

“But I’ve not lost hope that things can be resolved.

“With Arbeloa there was an option which, at the moment, has come to nothing.”

Fans Progress With Plans To Buy Liverpool

Time passes on in the efforts of Liverpool’s American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to mobilize funds to manage the mammoth £350 million debt.

The Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia are expected to grant the owners a further extension on the loans, which are set to expire tomorrow.

Meanwhile, according to a report in the Irish Independent, two groups of fans - Spirit of Shankly and ShareLiverpoolFC - formed due to dissatisfaction with the current owners, are hoping to realise their dream by purchasing a majority stake in the Merseyside club.

ShareLiverpoolFC is planning to raise £10m by selling shares at £500 on a one-person-one-share basis, and an additional £140m through the sale of additional loan stock to the fans. Once the £150m has been raised, the support groups plan to use these funds to bid for a majority stake in the club in order to gain control, and seek a further £100m from a commercial partner.

The ambitious fans plan to exchange the remaining debt £100m by making it a convertible loan stock in the club, which the banks would buy over a 20-year period.

ShareLiverpoolFC and Spirit of Shankly were formed 18 months ago after the supporters grew dissatisfied with Hicks and Gillett's running of the club.

Benitez Will Swoop For Silva If Valencia Cash In

The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez is ready to intensify his interest in Valencia's David Silva, his negotiating position enhanced by the Spanish club's diminishing prospects of selling their other prime asset, David Villa.

Valencia, a club in severe financial crisis, may be forced to reduce their initial £25m demand for Silva, which put Benitez off in May and the manager will be able to offer the entire amount up front if Real Madrid adhere to his own demands that their £30m-plus outlay on Xabi Alonso comes in one upfront payment, as did their £80m to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Valencia's hard initial negotiating position arose because Villa seemed destined to leave the Mestalla and there was a desire to keep Silva. But Barcelona's part-exchange move for Internazionale's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic means that Villa may well not be leaving Spain. Samuel Eto'o's agent yesterday confirmed that the Cameroonian would be the makeweight in a deal for Ibrahimovic. "He will start working with Inter next week" said Josep Maria Mesalles.

The 23-year-old Silva can play wide, as a withdrawn striker or as an attacking midfielder and is not a straight replacement for Alonso. Valencia have been on the brink of bankruptcy all summer and will accept nothing less than a straight cash deal for him.

Where Alonso is concerned, Benitez is also holding out for a Madrid player to be included in the deal, with striker Alvaro Negredo still a possibility. If Real agree to include Negredo then the defender Alvaro Arbeloa would be likely to join Alonso in moving to the Bernabeu. Silva is reluctant to switch to England but will make an exception for Liverpool where he would be joining Spain team-mates Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres.

Alonso seems more likely than Javier Mascherano to leave, as the midfield uncertainties that have plagued Benitez all summer continue to drag on. Barcelona had coveted Mascherano and had wanted to deploy him in front of Kolo Touré, but the £50m Liverpool would expect seems, as they had hoped, to have priced the European champions out of the market. The player's agent, Walter Tamer, has been sounding desperate over the last couple of days. Juventus's Christian Poulsen appears to be a cheaper option for Barcelona.

Real Madrid technical director, Miguel Pardeza, said yesterday that the club still held out hope they can persuade Liverpool to part with Alonso, though not at any price because the player would not sell many shirts.

Real's general director Jorge Valdano has ruled out new signings until the club starts offloading players. After confirming that Klaas van Huntelaar had turned down a move to Stuttgart because he had "other expectations", Valdano said: "Until some of the players leave it is going to be very difficult." Madrid had rather unrealistically hoped to bring in around €100m (£85.6m) with the sale of up to seven players, but stars such as Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistelrooy have shown no interest in leaving.

Liverpool To Decide On Andrea Dossena To Napoli Move

Andrea Dossena is waiting for Liverpool to make a decision on his future, according to his agent Roberto La Florio.

The Azzurri have made an offer for the Italian left-back as they attempt to strengthen their back line. Liverpool need to respond, and La Florio is hoping for a good outcome.

"We are waiting. Napoli and Liverpool have to find an agreement," La Florio told Tuttomercatoweb.com.

"Napoli came out of the blue with the offer to Liverpool and now the English club have to decide whether to allow Dossena to leave.

"If Liverpool allow it, then we are ready to deal with Napoli."

On Thursday, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed an interest in the former Udinese man.

Liverpool Plotting Shock Swoop For Portsmouth's Peter Crouch

Liverpool are reported to be plotting a shock return to Anfield for Peter Crouch.

Crouch had looked set to join Tottenham Hotspur after rejecting the chance to move to Sunderland, but Spurs are supposedly having trouble raising the requisite finances.

According to The Daily Star, Rafael Benitez has asked to be kept informed of developments, and is pondering making a £12 million bid for the man he sold to Portsmouth last summer.

Crouch spent three years at Liverpool and was a regular in the first team until Fernando Torres' arrival from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007.

Fulham were also thought to be in the race, but they are unlikely to follow up their interest. It remains to be seen, however, whether Crouch would want to move back to Merseyside, where he is unlikely to be a first-choice player.

Reds Snap Up Sama

Liverpool have bolstered their academy ranks with the signing of German teenager Stephen Sama from Borussia Dortmund.

The 16-year-old defender has been snapped up before Dortmund could secure him on a professional contract.

He has penned a deal that ties him to Anfield until June 2012 and follows in the footsteps of Christopher Buchtmann, who also joined from the Bundesliga club.

However, Dortmund youth director Peter Wazinski believes Sama has a long way to go before he is the finished article and has told Liverpool he is not such an exciting prospect as Buchtmann.

"This time they did not look closely enough," Wazinski told Reviersport.

"Stephen was already a substitute last season, unlike Christopher Buchtmann was when he joined them.

"In terms of Stephen Sama, the transfer does not hurt us in any way, except that there is always a better moment to join another club than in the middle of pre-season."

Steven Gerrard's Relief After Being Cleared Of Affray

Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard spoke of his relief on Friday following his speedy acquittal from a charge of affray.

The jury cleared the midfielder of unjustly attacking a man in a bar after deliberating for just 70 minutes at Liverpool Crown Court.

Gerrard, 29, was greeted with cheers and shouts of "come on Rocky" outside the court following the four-day trial.

The Liverpool FC midfielder said: "Can I just say how pleased I am with today’s verdict.

"I’d like to put this case behind me.

"I’m really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football.

"I’d like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and to everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me."

His boss, the Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez, also voiced his joy at the news.

Mr. Benitez, who is in Singapore ahead of their game against the national team there on Sunday, said: "We are really pleased. He is very important for us and he can now focus just on football.

"We are all pleased at the club and over here at the training camp. We have been supporting him all the time and were just waiting for the decision.

"Now he can concentrate just on football and hopefully play at the same level as last year."

Gerrard, of Formby, Merseyside, admitted hitting Marcus McGee, 34, but denied affray saying it was in self-defense.

The footballer, who is married to the model Alex Curran, had been at the Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside, on December 29 to celebrate Liverpool FC’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.

CCTV footage from the bar showed Gerrard and his friends drinking beer, downing shots and dancing around while chanting football songs.

But trouble flared at around 2am when the father-of-two wanted to change the music on the CD player.

Prosecutor David Turner QC told the jury of seven women and five men that Gerrard "lost it" after Marcus McGee, a member of another group who had been asked to organize the music that night, refused his request.

The prosecution painted him as a spoilt star who was accustomed to being idolized and getting what he wants.

Mr. Turner described his reaction to Mr. McGee’s refusal as a "huff" and said Mr. Gerrard punched the victim "with the style and speed of a professional boxer".

But Gerrard told the jury he was shocked by Mr. McGee’s attitude and wanted to smooth things over.

He told the court: "I asked Marcus what was the problem with the music machine and why he treated me like that.

"Very quickly he came off the bar stool and was in my face right by me."

He told his defense counsel, John Kelsey-Fry that he hit out at Mr. McGee in self-defense.

He said: "I firmly believed Marcus came towards me to hit me."

In reality, CCTV shows that, unknown to either the victim or the footballer, Mr. McGee was reacting to being elbowed by John Doran, 29, a school friend of Gerrard’s.

Gerrard described raising his left arm to grab the back of Mr. McGee’s jumper.

He said: "I grabbed the back of his jumper as he moved forward to me. When I had hold of Marcus, I remember swinging my right hand two or three times."

He said the incident took about four or five seconds before he was "pushed and pulled" away from Mr. McGee.

Gerrard apologized for what happened, telling the jury: "I am sorry about the whole incident."

After throwing the punches at Mr. McGee, Gerrard was pulled away by a barman to another part of the venue as some of his friends attacked Mr. McGee.

Five of them have admitted affray. They are Ian Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton, and Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport.

Another friend, John McGrattan, 34, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, admitted threatening behaviour.

The six men will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on August 7.

Gerrard Verdict Is A Boost To Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was delighted his captain Steven Gerrard could now "focus on football" after being cleared of affray on Friday.

This has not been the smoothest of pre-seasons for Benitez, as injuries to Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar forced the pair to return to England for treatment, while speculation continued around the futures of Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Alvaro Arbeloa.

Benitez was told of Gerrard's acquittal during a training session and said: "We are really pleased. He is very important for us and he can now focus just on football."

He added: "We are all pleased at the club and over here at the training camp.

"We have been supporting him all the time and were just waiting for the decision. Now he can concentrate just on football and hopefully play at the same level as last year."

As he prepared his side for Sunday's friendly against Singapore, Benitez was relieved that the cloud hanging over Gerrard has now been swept away after he was acquitted at Liverpool Crown Court following an incident in Southport on December 29 last year.

Gerrard has missed the Far East trip because of the week-long trial, and will be reunited with his team-mates next week when Liverpool return to the UK.

Benitez also confirmed that Real Madrid target Alonso was fit following an ankle injury and ready to play against Singapore.

Benitez, who also has Yossi Benayoun back from an ankle problem, said: "I am very happy to have Yossi and Xabi back. They are working very hard, the tempo of the session was fantastic and the fans really enjoyed it.

"We are trying to step up our training every day, especially for the international players. We had three teams playing against each other. It was good competition and pleasing for me to see."

Liverpool Legend Kenny Dalglish Praises Gerrard's Character In Court

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to Steven Gerrard in a statement read out during his court case.

Gerrard is currently facing charges of causing affray, and he has received strong support from Dalglish.

The former Scottish international's statement was read out in court, and The Mirror quote it as saying, "I have known Steven Gerrard since he came to Liverpool FC as a 14 year old.

"He is not the archetypal footballer, he does not seek publicity. He does not like moving in movie star circles and does not measure his success by column inches in newspapers.

"In many ways he is different to what people think of as a superstar footballer. He likes to move in private circles.

"He accepts the fact that he is a talented footballer and he is very well paid for what he loves to do, playing football."

Dalglish continued, "Despite the fame and obvious wealth that comes with his level of success, he has not forgotten his roots or where he has come from. I believe those values have been instilled in him by his mum and dad, who I have also met and who are lovely people.

"He is a very respectful young man. He is a humble man and his personality could be described as quiet.

"Stevie receives a lot of grief for simply trying to be normal.”

Liverpool Can Win The Premier League - Fernando Torres

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, who made his first appearance of the Reds' pre-season program yesterday as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 draw with Thailand, is confident that the Merseysiders can end their 20-year wait for a league title in the coming campaign.

"Two years without a trophy is a long time for a club like Liverpool," he told the club's official website. "But we believe we can do it this year.

"It won't be easy because there are big challenges ahead but we think we can win."

Israeli international Yossi Benayoun echoed the Spaniard's sentiments, and was looking forward to continuing his excellent form into the new campaign.

"I have a lot of confidence in this team," said Benayoun. "We have a belief in the squad that we can win the league but we have to work hard and keep improving.

"Personally I want this to be an even better season for me,” he continued. “I want to take my chances and help the team."

Rafa Plays Down Alonso & Mascherano Talks

Rafa Benitez has moved to play down talk of Xabi Alonso leaving Liverpool.

The Spanish midfielder did not play in the 1-1 friendly draw with Thailand on Wednesday, and was quoted as saying he could offer no 'guarantees' about his future.

Real Madrid are still keen to sign Alonso, and reports in the Spanish on Thursday claimed a deal was all but done.

However, Liverpool have denied this, and Benitez said after the squad arrived in Singapore on Thursday: "Alonso is here and he will enjoy the weather and the fans and the journalists.

"He is ready and can play."

A Liverpool spokesman backed up his manager, saying: "Xabi is with us in Singapore, and will train with the rest of the squad. He was injured ahead of the Thailand game, people can say what they like about that.

"And there has been no deal agreed with anyone for his transfer to anyone."

Benitez went on to dismiss speculation that Javier Mascherano also wants out of Anfield.

His agent, Walter Tamer, was quoted on Wednesday as saying the Argentine midfielder was tired of life in England, and favoured a move to Barcelona.

However, Benitez said: "In the press these days there are too many websites, too many newspapers, radio, television. You have to have stories every day so sometimes you repeat something from 15 days ago.

"It's much the same situation, he knows our ideas. He's been working very hard and he's a very important player for us."

Liverpool FC: Refinancing Talks With Bank Set To Drag On

Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the owners of English Premier League club Liverpool, are unlikely to agree refinancing terms with RBS before this Friday’s deadline.

The two American businessmen have made regular appearances on sports pages on both sides of the Atlantic in recent weeks.

Gillett has agreed to sell the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey franchise for more than US$500 million.

Hicks, meanwhile, has dissolved Hicks Sports Marketing Group as he looks to sell off one of his sport franchises.

The Liverpool refinancing deal, meanwhile, continues to drag on.

‘The two parties have been in talks for several months and both sides have expressed confidence that a deal will be done.

It may not be concluded by the end of this week however, despite that being the date for the loan’s expiry given in the most recent accounts for the club’s holding company,‘ reports the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Benitez Backing For Gerrard

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists that captain Steven Gerrard has the full support of the club.

The England international is currently on trial at Liverpool Crown Court on a charge of affray following an incident at a Southport bar last December.

Gerrard is therefore absent from Liverpool's ongoing pre-season tour of the Far East, but Benitez is confident his skipper will soon rejoin the rest of the squad.

"I talk with him everyday, it is okay," Benitez told a press conference broadcast on Sky Sports News. "He has the support of the club and, for sure, the fans.

"I think that it will be okay so we are confident that everything will be good and at the end he will be playing for us and scoring a lot of goals."

Philipp Degen Looking Forward To Injury-Free Season At Liverpool

Philipp Degen is looking forward to making his first Premier League appearance for Liverpool this season.

Degen signed for the Reds on a free transfer before last season, but only managed two League Cup appearances due to a horrific run of injuries.

Having appeared in all the club's pre-season games thus far, he is now hoping for a better campaign.

The wing-back told Liverpool's official website, "Last year was a very sad year for me.

"I have worked hard during the holidays and now I feel really good. I am not yet at 100 per cent match fitness but I am feeling better every day.

"It's a new season and a new start for me. I have never had a season like last season before when I was injured all the time.

"I came to a new club wanting to show what I could do but it wasn't possible. I was injured, injured, injured and I know the fans were thinking I am that sort of player, but it isn't true.

"I want to fight to prove myself now and that's why I am looking forward to this year so much."

However, Degen faces a fight to claim a first-team place, following the big-money signing of Glen Johnson. He is not too worried, though.

"That is life at a big club like Liverpool," added the Swiss international.

"I will do all I can to show what I can do. That's the most important thing for me."

Rasmus Elm: Liverpool To Battle Everton For The ‘Swedish Beckham’

Everton are believed to be leading the chase for Swedish starlet Rasmus Elm after the player recently visited Goodison Park. However Skyports.com are reporting that Liverpool and Valencia have also joined the race for the midfielder’s signature. However, other admirers include Fulham, Stoke, Ajax and PSV.

It’s of little surprise that the player has attracted so much attention after an excellent European U21 Championships as well as superb league form for his club side Kalmar.

Elm has scored an impressive 8 goals in just 15 league games this season which leaves him one strike behind the leading scorers in the Swedish top division. Despite being just 21, Elm has made a total of 92 league appearances for his club while scoring 16 goals (64 starts). The midfielder made his debut in 2005 and has gone from strength to strength since with all 16 goals coming in the last 3 seasons.

Not only has Elm impressed for the U21 side but has also broken into the full senior side with 6 caps to his name plus one goal which came in a friendly v Austria back in February. Since returning from the U21 championships, his club form has gone from strength to strength with 5 goals in his last three league appearances.

Rasmus is the youngest of three brothers who have all played for Kalmar and he played a key role in the club’s first ever league title in 2008. His two brothers also impressed with the eldest 26-year-old David weighing in with 7 goals and 23-year-old Viktor scoring 15 goals.

Rasmus can play either in central midfield or on the right. The 6ft star has neat feet, good passing ability and a strong midfield engine. He is also renowned for his set-pieces and superb long-range shooting which saw him finish joint-top in last season’s assists league alongside the legendary figure of Henrik Larsson. Another important strength of the player is his Rory Delap-like long throw which explains why he is regarded as one of Tony Pulis’ main Stoke targets.

Fulham have shown an interest since December which is unsurprising as manager Roy Hodgson is an expert in the Scandinavian market. However, Everton did appear to be favourites after the player’s visit although comments from the player suggest he has yet to make up his mind. Elm told Sportbladet, “I don’t want to rush the decision. I have had to focus fully on Champions League qualification.

“I will continue to think about it and I might make a decision in a week or so.”

The reported price tag for the player was £6m but Kalmar’s Sports Director has dismissed the figure. He said, “I don’t know where that figure has comes from.”

“We haven’t been offered such a sum. We’ve got three offers from three different clubs and rejected all of them.”

Mavinga - Reds Move A Risk

New Liverpool signing Chris Mavinga admits he has taken a risk in leaving Paris St Germain to move to Anfield.

The defender signed a three-year contract with the Premier League side earlier in July after Rafa Benitez's scouts identified the teenager's talents.

Mavinga did not play for the PSG first team during his time at the Parc des Princes, but still came to the attention of Benitez.

The 18-year-old would have liked to have featured for PSG but he could not turn down Liverpool, despite the competition for places, because they showed greater determination for his signature.

Mavinga said in L'Equipe: "I wanted to play on the Parc des Princes pitch. I would have loved to wear that shirt. PSG is the club in my heart.

"Liverpool followed me for one year. Benitez even talked to me, while I never had any talks with (PSG recruitment officer) Alain Roche or coach Antoine Kombouare.

"I made Liverpool wait while they put me under pressure. Then, (former boss) Paul Le Guen, who asked me to take part in some professional training sessions, left.

"I felt Paris only offered me a professional contract to stop me from leaving.

"I know I won't play at Anfield this season and the step to Liverpool's first team is higher at Paris. It is a risk, but an opportunity too."

Liverpool To Rival Aston Villa For Portsmouth Defender Sylvain Distin

The speculation surrounding Sylvain Distin's future continues to mount, as The Mirror now credit Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez with an interest in the French defender.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is believed to have already had one £2.5 million bid rejected by confirmed Portsmouth manager Paul Hart, so Benitez will need to act with a strong bid while he - and his squad - are in Thailand, before the Ulsterman returns to the fold with a more lucrative second fee.

Benitez has already considerably strengthened his rear-guard this season, with the expensive acquisition of roaming right-back Glen Johnson, who is equally adept at being a productive outlet high on the right flank.

The Reds considerably closed the gap between themselves and Premier League title holders Manchester United last term, and with the respective departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, Rafa Benitez may be confident of sneaking a title away from Sir Alex Ferguson, should he continue to bolster his own squad.

Barcelona To Go For Fabregas Instead Of Mascherano

Barcelona are preparing to test Arsenal and Cesc Fabregas with a bid for the Catalan playmaker if Liverpool continue to thwart their bid to prise Javier Mascherano away from Anfield, according to a report.

Blaugrana coach Pep Guardiola confirmed this week that he wants to add a midfielder to his ranks, but while he stated the player would not be expensive, the Board has other ideas.

With a deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic almost completed, the treble winning Catalan outfit's next task will be to sign a star name to bolster their options in the centre of the pitch.

Mascherano was the first choice, but Liverpool are reluctant to let the Argentinian leave despite his own admission that he is unhappy in England and wants to go to Camp Nou.

Without wanting to upset the Merseyside club, Barcelona are prepared to look elsewhere and are ready to again test Arsenal's mettle with an enquiry for their own visionary midfielder.

Fabregas has stated that he is happy to stay at the Emirates, but oi the Blaugrana match his asking price then that loyalty will be stretched, Sport state.

According to the Catalan daily, the Arenys del Mar-born midfielder is disillusioned with Arsenal's transfer policy and is questioning whether or not they can fulfill his ambitions.

Guardiola has already stated that Fabregas is a player in the Barça mould and he would be able to play regularly in a squad that would be rotated to fit him in.

With Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita both expected to play in the African Cup of Nations, an extra midfielder is required, while Fabregas could slot in with Andres Iniesta moving out to the left for games when Thierry Henry is rested.

President Joan Laporta wants to leave a legacy at Barcelona in his last year at the helm and re-signing the player that left in his first summer would be seen as doing just that.

Match Report: Thailand 1 - 1 LiverpooL

Sutee Sumsomkit's second-half equalizer saw Thailand secure a battling draw with Liverpool in a pre-season friendly at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

Ryan Babel put the Barclays Premier League side in front after six minutes but substitute Sutee struck with a consummate finish midway through the second period to ensure the encounter ended all-square.

Thailand had the first sight of goal with just a minute on the clock when Diego Cavalieri's poor clearance fell straight to Datsakorn Thonglao but he shot wide from 30 yards with the Liverpool 'keeper scrambling back towards goal.

The visitors took the lead when Jamie Carragher hit a long diagonal ball that picked out Babel's run after he had got in front of Suree Sukha.

The Dutchman's touch took him away from the defender before he beat Kosin Hathairattanakul with a low finish.

Babel could have doubled the lead five minutes later when Krisztian Nemeth collected a weak headed clearance and played the winger in down the left but Kosin got down well to block.

He had another chance after 20 minutes when he met Lucas' perfectly flighted ball from the left in space at the far post but cushioned his volley wide.

Datsakorn then fired a 25-yard free-kick over the bar as the Thais were unable to convert a decent amount of possession into clear chances.

Liverpool made a host of changes at the break but Martin Skrtel lasted only 10 minutes before limping off and fellow substitute Nabil El Zhar was replaced two minutes later.

Javier Mascherano warmed Kosin's hands with a stinging drive but the second half was proving a low-key affair until the 71st minute when the hosts equalized.

Sutee played a neat one-two with Teerasil Dungda and the former's left-footed finish found the bottom corner beyond substitute keeper Peter Gulacsi's outstretched hand.

Andrea Dossena was sent clear by Andriy Vornonin following a swift interchange but shot straight at Kosin before the Ukrainian wasted a glorious chance nine minutes from time when put clean through by Fernando Torres but missed from 10 yards and Glen Johnson curled an effort wide in injury time as Thailand held on.

Liverpool's Martin Skrtel Suffers Hamstring Injury In Friendly

Liverpool lost central defender Martin Skrtel to a hamstring injury in today's 1–1 draw with Thailand in a pre-season friendly. The Slovak international came on as a half-time substitute but lasted only 10 minutes on a rain-soaked afternoon before grabbing the top of his right hamstring and walking gingerly off the field.

Nabil El Zhar came off soon after with an injured right knee after attempting a bicycle kick. The club's medical staff are assessing the players but the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez, admitted his disappointment at the injuries. "They were not the best conditions here today and the worst thing was to lose Skrtel and El Zhar. The idea of the game was to improve match fitness, so to lose two players is bad news," he told the club's official website.

The midfielder Xabi Alonso, subject of intense transfer speculation about a move to Real Madrid, did not make an appearance. Fernando Torres made his first appearance of the pre-season, coming on for the latter stages of the second half.

Liverpool's starting team contained five regular first-team players: Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt, Lucas Leiva, Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger. The opening goal came in the sixth minute as Carragher played a long ball into the path of Babel, who outpaced the defence, controlled the ball and slotted past the goalkeeper. But Liverpool looked rusty, struggling to combine effectively in the attacking half. Babel volleyed another long pass wide and had another effort stopped by the goalkeeper.

Thailand's equaliser came in the 72nd minute as substitute Sutee Suksomkit played a neat one-two and calmly placed his shot past the onrushing substitute goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.

Liverpool changed 10 players at the break, with their new signing Glen Johnson coming on and playing in an unfamiliar left-back position, while Javier Mascherano and Andriy Voronin were among those also given a run-out in the second half.