Rafael Benitez To Offer Aston Villa's Emile Heskey Liverpool Return

The Daily Star claims that Rafael Benitez is set to offer Emile Heskey a return to Liverpool in the January transfer window, providing the England striker with a World Cup lifeline in the process.

Heskey has admitted that he will consider leaving Aston Villa if he continues to warm the bench, worried that his lack of first-team football at club level will affect his chances of leading the line for the Three Lions in South Africa.

And while Fabio Capello clearly prefers Heskey as Wayne Rooney's partner in crime, the former Wigan Athletic striker has only started one league match all season for Martin O'Neill.

It is claimed that Benitez is considering a cut-price £1.5 million bid to bring Heskey back to Anfield. The Spanish tactician is short of options up-front, relying largely on Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard for goals.

However, Heskey is likely to require some guarantee over the amount of starts he will get, before agreeing to rejoin the Reds.

Villa, meanwhile, are unlikely to sell cheaply, as the striker - for whom they shelled out £3.5m just last winter - is contracted to the West Midlands club until July 2012.

Torres Undergoes Scan

Fernando Torres trained with the Spain squad on Monday evening after a scan revealed no evidence of muscle damage.

The 25-year-old's own official website confirmed El Nino completed several laps of the pitch before having treatment with La Furia Roja's physiotherapists as Vicente Del Bosque's side continue to prepare for Wednesday evening's World Cup qualifier with Bosnia.

Torres was substituted during the early stages of the second-half in Saturday's clash with Armenia after reporting groin pain.

However, having undergone physio at the squad hotel on Sunday, an MRI scan gave Liverpool's No.9 the all-clear to join his teammates in last night's light training session.

Liverpool Are Much More Than Kust Gerrard And Torres

I'm a literal sort of person, and it annoys me when things are so stupidly wrong, and yet people still fall for it blindly, and repeat it as though it is a fundamental truth. Like the idea that Liverpool are a two man team, which is a theory so widespread, it's become gospel.

For a start, how can any side be a two man team? You need at least seven to constitute a game under FA rules. And you wouldn't get very far with only two players would you? It'd be a bit one-sided, even if the opponents were as bad as my local pub team.

Getting away from the literal for a second though, it is misleading, and indeed, downright insulting, not to say palpable nonsense to suggest that the only two players Liverpool have are Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Yep, the pair of them are world class, and any team would rather have them in their line up than not. And it's not exactly rocket science to work out that if you took two of the best players in the world out of the line-up, then it would be diminished somewhat. That though, is a truism that applies to every single other team in the world.

But even a cursory look at the rest of Rafael Benitez's first choice side tells you that they are hardly a two man outfit. For a start, Liverpool have the captain of Argentina, one of the most powerful footballing nations in the world, at the heart of their midfield.

Javier Mascherano has played for his country since he was 19 years old, and already has 55 caps, so he's hardly a duffer. He has been the one constant in the maelstrom of Diego Maradona's regime, and has shown world-class leadership for his nation at a crucial time, taking them into a World Cup spot in qualifying, against the odds.

Then there is Pepe Reina. As a goalkeeper, there is no doubt he is amongst the top three or four in the world, and arguably on his day - even set against the competing claims of his countryman Iker Casillas - is the best. Put it this way, he would walk into the England team right now.

Jamie Carragher has been the most consistent defender in the Premier League over the past five years, and that includes John Terry. Even Jose Mourinho once said he sometimes wished he could have a team of Carraghers.

Ok, he's had his difficulties this season, but that is as much because of the different tactical emphasis Liverpool have employed so far, as any failings on his part. Ask any manager in England, and he would be on their team-sheet. Still.

Dirk Kuyt has 56 caps for Holland, again one of the finest footballing nations on the planet, and anyone watching them play will see just how important he is to their line up.

When Kuyt went off at half time during the European Championship quarter final against Russia, his country's chances of reaching the semis went with him. His energy and positional intelligence is almost unmatched in the Premier League, which makes him a unique player.

Glen Johnson is the best right back in England, and one of the most exciting players in that position the Premier League has seen. Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel are regarded as two of the most promising young centre halves in Europe. Even young left back Emiliano Insua has just won his first Argentina cap.

Don't forget too, that last season, Liverpool won at Chelsea without Torres, drew at Arsenal without him, and beat Manchester United at Anfield with him and Gerrard on the bench. In the Champions' League, they managed a 4-4 draw at Chelsea without their skipper, too.

It is just lazy to say that Liverpool are a two man team, because the reality is, they have a perfectly respectable first XI, with many of their players coveted by other top sides. They have a team capable of challenging the best, evidence of which came last season, when they beat Chelsea and United home and away in the league.

But the problem at Anfield isn't the quality of the side, rather it is the depth of the squad. They are not a two-man team, but they are not far short of being a one-team club, which these days is a fatal flaw for any side harboring genuine title aspirations.

Liverpool don't really have any quality cover at goalkeeper, right back, right wing or left wing, and little depth to their forward line or in even central defence, given Agger's tendency towards injury. Presently, they don't have any back up in central midfield either, with summer signing Alberto Aquilani still to recover from the injury he arrived with.

That is their weakness, and it is a fundamental one. If they don't win the league this season - and from the first kick, I have suggested they will need a fair bit of luck with injuries to do so - it will be because they don't have the depth of cover in their squad to compete over the grueling length of a Premier League campaign.

It is not for the want of trying. If you include the many youngsters he has brought in to bolster the youth structure, in his five and a half years at Anfield, Rafa Benitez has signed close on 100 players for Liverpool, at a net outlay (that is, money spent minus money raised) of figures quoted variously between £90m and £125m, with perhaps the most accurate assessment being offered in The Times recently, of £111.39million.

You might have to rub your eyes at this point, but these figures really are correct. The Spanish coach has tried incredibly hard to wheel and deal to generate the funds to increase quality, and if you look at the team he inherited in 2005, there is no doubt he has done that. There is no comparison between the squad he took over and the one he has produced now. Just take a look at the pictures of the celebrations after the Champions' League final to confirm that.

The money he has spent sounds a lot, but actually, it amounts to an outlay of less than £20million a season, which buys you one decent player a year...unless that player happens to be a Kaka or Cristiano Ronaldo, of course.

When you consider there are just two players left at Anfield now from the day the manager walked in the door back in 2005, that isn't a great deal of money to bring in close on 30 players capable of hacking it at the top level. Especially when the squad he was left by Gerard Houllier generated very little in terms of revenue.

It has been a tricky situation, not made any easier by the debt problems at Anfield which required the manager to effectively sell before he could buy in the summer, destroying in the process the his hopes of again adding more depth to the squad he has so carefully been constructing over the past five years.

It is these circumstances which prompt Benitez, in more reflective moments, to quietly admit that he feels he still doesn't have the depth to his squad he would like, even if he's not exactly about to broadcast that fact on the nine o'clock news.

Any sustained period of Injuries will devastate Liverpool's campaign this season, and that doesn't mean just to Gerrard and Torres, either. Both those players were on the pitch in Florence, when the absence of Mascherano meant Benitez was forced to give full back Fabio Aurelio only his second start of the season....in central midfield.

That sums up the headache Benitez has to face in juggling his resources to try and mount a convincing title campaign. When you consider, both United and Chelsea can comfortably field two teams that would challenge in the top four of the Premier League, then he's going to have to be pretty good at keeping the balls in the air.

But let's get this straight, it's not because Liverpool are a two-man team. That is just lazy, join the dots thinking. And it is annoying. Just like those bloody meerkats.

Alberto Aquilani Dreams Of Being The King Of The Kop As Liverpool Debut Edges Nearer

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani is desperate to score at Anfield to put his injury nightmare behind him.

The Italian has yet to play for the Reds after arriving from Roma in the summer during his recovery from surgery on his ankle.

The 25-year-old, bought for £20million as a replacement for Xabi Alonso as the Spaniard joined Real Madrid, told LFC Weekly Magazine: 'It's not been easy for me.

I moved to a new club in a different country and have been unable to play or train properly. When you are not involved with the team it is not a good feeling.

'It is my ambition to score at the Kop end though. I've thought about it a lot during my rehab here. Anfield is a great stadium with a superb atmosphere. I can't wait to play in front of that crowd.'

Rafael Benítez Escapes Sanction For Spectacles Gesture After Liverpool Defeat

The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez, has been cleared of two charges brought by the Football Association following comments he made regarding the referee Phil Dowd after Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on the opening day of the season.

Benítez had criticised Dowd for failing to give Liverpool a penalty after Andriy Voronin was levered off the ball in the Tottenham penalty area.

"I think everyone could see there was a penalty, especially to Voronin, it was so clear," said Benítez after the game. "[The penalty appeal] was so clear, it was unbelievable. Can you get two penalties at an away ground? No. With this referee [Phil Dowd], I knew that this was impossible."

The third charge relates to a gesture made in a post-match interview in which the Spaniard responded to a question about the incident by remaining tight-lipped, but took off his glasses theatrically as if presenting them for inspection.

This was deemed offensive by the FA and Benítez was warned about his future behaviour as a consequence.

Steven Gerrard Ruled Out Of England Qualifier Against Belarus After Training Injury

Steven Gerrard will miss England’s final World Cup qualifying match against Belarus at Wembley tomorrow after limping out of training this morning.

Fabio Capello, the England manager, confirmed the Liverpool captain had been sent back to his club to have his troublesome groin injury assessed. "He didn't finish training because the pain was the same as yesterday," Capello said. "He's going back to Liverpool."

David James, the England goalkeeper, also missed training as he continues to struggle with the knee injury that kept him out earlier in the season. With Robert Green suspended Capello may be forced to recall Ben Foster despite his recent poor form.

"[James] had some problems with his knee," Capello said. "He's getting better, he'll stay with us and tomorrow we'll decide. I will speak with him tomorrow. The other players are fit. There are some little problems but not so big to be a problem."

Gerrard was already rated doubtful for the game against Belarus, having been substituted with a groin injury at half-time during the 1-0 defeat by Ukraine on Saturday, but his failure to complete this morning’s training session at London Colney ruled him out of tomorrow’s game.

It means that James Milner, who replaced him in Dnepropetrovsk, looks likely to start a senior international game for the first time on the left wing, with Gabriel Agbonlahor, his Aston Villa team-mate, favourite to replace the injured Wayne Rooney.

With qualification already assured, Capello is unlikely to be too perturbed about the injury to Gerrard, but Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, may be more worried, having also seen Fernando Torres pick up a knock during Spain’ s victory over Armenia on Saturday.

Although Benitez would not have wanted Gerrard to play tomorrow, Liverpool have a series of big matches coming up – away to Sunderland, at home to Lyons in the Champions League and at home to Manchester United – and their captain’s fitness will suddenly be a prime concern.

Rafa Benitez Has Every Reason To Cry Foul Over FA's Manchester United Favouritism

It is a little known fact that Charles n Eddie, that legendary duo who were widely regarded as the Lennon and McCartney of the 90s, were Crewe Alexandra fans. Now c'mon, would I lie to you baby?

Which is probably what the spokesman from the Football Association was nervously humming to himself, even as he was dialling the number for Anfield to inform Rafael Benitez that his skipper Steven Gerrard was, in fact, injured after all, and would be allowed to return to Merseyside.

You can probably guess that Rafa wasn't exactly thrilled on Monday morning when he discovered that Gerrard would be forced to stay with the England squad, despite picking up an injury that saw him limp out of the game against the Ukraine at half time.

And I'm sure you don't require a fevered imagination to realise that his mood darkened somewhat when he discovered that Wayne Rooney was allowed to leave the squad on Monday morning, despite playing the entire game in Kiev. That would be Wayne Rooney of Manchester United, by the way.

Now, I'm not one to induce paranoia, (though can anyone tell me how the internet knows your name?!), but maybe the Liverpool manager has a point when he suggests that a certain club not a million miles down the M62 seems to get preferential treatment from a certain governing body.

Benitez was up against the beak on Tuesday, answering a disciplinary charge because he happened to take off his glasses and clean then when asked about the performance of a referee. He didn't speak, mind, just cleaned his specks.

A certain rival manager, on the other hand, who operates not a million miles down the M62, has yet to be charged even after suggesting that the entire refereeing body in England is unfit to officiate matches. It is 10 days and counting without charge, by the way.

If Gerrard misses the weekend league programme, I think there might just be a certain anger down L4 way. And if Rooney happens to play this weekend, then I think the FA might just have a few more "facts" to contend with.

And when they answer, I think Mr Benitez may be entitled to quote another line from those gifted lyricists, Charles and Eddie. "Look into my eyes, can't you see they're open wide" they sang, like the sweet-voiced angels they were.

As Gerrard hobbles back to Merseyside, perhaps the FA might realise that all our eyes are open just a little bit wide at the moment, incredulous at their apparent favoritism towards a certain club at the eastern end of the M62.

Aquilani Reveals Kop Goal Motivation

Alberto Aquilani has revealed the motivation that has seen him through some tough times on his road to recovery.

The Italian midfielder has yet to appear for the Reds since signing from Roma in the summer, but he's told LFC Weekly Magazine the thought of scoring a goal in front of his new fans has spurred him on.

"It's not been easy for me," the 25-year-old said. "I moved to a new club in a different country and have been unable to play or train properly.

"When you are not involved with the team it is not a good feeling.

"It is my ambition to score at the Kop end though. I've thought about it a lot during my rehab here. Anfield is a great stadium with a superb atmosphere. I can't wait to play in front of that crowd."

Ian Rush: Rafa Benitez Needs International Stars To Return In Top Condition

International breaks are the bane of a manager’s life and never more was that evident in the weekend just gone – if anything, Rafa Benitez could not have scripted it to go any worse.

Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt all picked up injuries to some degree and with a crucial run of fixtures set to begin this Saturday, it goes without saying that all three men will be needed to play a part.

Kuyt, thankfully, will be back at Melwood in plenty of time to receive treatment on his damaged ankle but Benitez will be worried as to what happens to Gerrard and Torres tomorrow evening.

You would hope, therefore, that Fabio Capello and Vincente Del Bosque – both of whom have been club managers – will exercise some commonsense.

England and Spain are both assured of their place in South Africa and their games against Belarus and Bosnia have nothing riding on them, so why would they risk two star men?

There is a chance, after all, of it being counter productive.

Capello and Del Bosque will want Gerrard and Torres fit to fire their World Cup bids and they won’t want them exhausted by the time or out of condition before the tournament starts.

So, all being well, they will give Liverpool’s star men a chance to draw breath tomorrow and allow them to be in top form for the trip to the Stadium of Light, where a confident Sunderland side will be waiting.

It’s a game that Liverpool must win, to get a massive week off on the right note.

Big characters will be needed to turn the situation around and who are bigger than Gerrard and Torres?

Academy Football: Bolton Penalty Condemns Liverpool FC Under-18s To Defeat

An early penalty and late spot-kick miss condemned Liverpool under-18s to their fifth defeat of the season in the FA Premier Academy League at they lost 1-0 to Bolton Wanderers at the Kirkby Academy.

Liverpool had hoped they had turned a corner with the previous week’s 4-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion. But they failed to reproduce against the Trotters this weekend.

Despite having most of the possession Rodolfo Borrell’s side failed to create too many clear-cut opportunities.

Liverpool had started well and almost took the lead on three minutes when James Ellison saw a superb 20-yard strike come back off the post after being teed up by Krisztian Adorjan.

But two minutes later they found themselves behind through Chris Stokes’ spot-kick goal.

It was a big blow for Liverpool and despite having much of the play for the rest of the first half, they couldn’t make the breakthrough. There were not too many chances at either end and Bolton’s only rare opportunities came from set-pieces.

Deale Chamberlain saved quite comfortably from Jack Sampson’s long-range strike and Adorjan fired over the only real efforts on goal.

In the second half Liverpool were a bit better and came close to an equaliser 10 minutes in. Adorjan should have hit the target but headed over from close-range and after an excellent Ince’s free-kick.

Conor Coady was also off target with a free header following a corner with 20 minutes remaining. While the lively Adorjan had the chance to grab a point later on, but the 16-year-old Hungarian striker saw a late penalty saved.

Miroslav Klose Reveals His Admiration For Inter And Liverpool

Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose has spoken about his future in football, suggesting that should be leave the Bavarian giants, he would prefer to go to Inter or Liverpool.

If the 31-year-old were to join the Nerazzurri, he would be reuniting with former Bayern team-mate, Lucio.

"I am very happy at Bayern Munich and I intend to stay," the German international told Kicker newspaper.

"But it is normal that in Europe, there are other big clubs of the highest level.

"I have two teams that I follow with pleasure and curiosity.

"In England, it is Liverpool and in Italy, I like the Inter of [Jose] Mourinho, who I consider to be a great coach," Klose summed up.

Rafa Benitez Ready To Make A Move For Heskey In January?

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could be ready to step in and save Emile Heskey's World Cup dreams by offering him a move back to Anfield in January, but only on the cheap.

Heskey has admitted he will consider his future when the transfer window reopens, if he continues to warm the bench at Aston Villa, and he has also attracted the interest of Fulham after starting just one Premier League game this season.

According to a report in the Daily Star, Benitez is considering boosting his attacking options with a £1.5 million bid for the striker to compliment Fernando Torres and he is believed to have made a move for Heskey last year, only to see him opt for Wigan.

Heskey's place in Fabio Capello's England squad is certainly under threat unless he sees more match action, although Villa boss Martin O'Neill will be reluctant to part with the targetman cheaply.

Former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry, now at Manchester City, said: "He's done fantastic for England with his partnership with Wayne Rooney. He is probably thinking about how long it can go on without playing for his club.

"The manager has made it clear that you have to be playing regularly and I am sure Emile will need to think about. When I was there Emile worked hard for the team, just like he does for England. It's that time of year when you want to be playing regularly. The World Cup is in the back of everyone's mind."

Hicks Raises Reds Stakes

The disharmony plaguing the Liverpool boardroom has been laid bare again after Tom Hicks called the bluff of George Gillett Jr., his co-owner, by letting it be known that he would allow Gillett to sell his 50pc stake in the club.

The war of attrition between the Americans has been stepped up over the past fortnight, with Gillett playing host to Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud, a potential investor, during a rare visit to Anfield and scheduling talks with the Saudi in Jeddah this week, without discussing the negotiations with Hicks before they became public knowledge.

Hicks has responded by making it clear that he will be willing to forgo his right of veto should Gillett find a buyer for his half-share, while maintaining that he has no desire to give up his stake in the club.

Hicks has used his veto once, in March last year, when Dubai International Capital attempted to buy out Gillett only for the Texan to refuse to give the proposed deal his blessing.

The divisions between the pair are becoming increasingly pronounced and their latest posturings appear to amount to little more than a high-stakes game of bluff, with both attempting to use the media to strengthen their bargaining position while weakening that of their partner.

The latest evidence of their falling-out has been greeted with dismay by the Spirit Of Shankly (SOS) supporters' group, which was set up in opposition to the Americans' regime.

"Tom Hicks and George Gillett have once again shown that they are not the custodians they promised to be, or that the club needs," SOS said. "Rather than work together to move Liverpool Football Club forward, they are more interested in their own egos and making as much money from the club as possible."

Kuyt: We Can Still Win The Title

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt is confident they can still fight for the Premier League title despite their indifferent start to the season.

The Reds' title credentials have again been questioned after losing three of their opening eight games to leave them six points behind leaders Chelsea.

Kuyt was disappointed after losing to the Blues last time out, but the Dutchman believes Liverpool can still be up there challenging if they can go on a winning run.

"I was very disappointed in the beginning that we got beaten twice. After that we picked it up and we won a couple of games in a row," Kuyt told FIFA's official website.

"But then we had another defeat away at Stamford Bridge at Chelsea. It was a very difficult game, but I still think we could do something more in this game.

"It is a very tough league, it is a very long season and there are still chances for Liverpool.

"We have to keep coming as a team and concentrate on our own game and winning every upcoming game.

"I'm sure in a month or in a couple of months that we will be there. The games will be decided on small details and I think that is what happened at Chelsea."

Del Bosque Won't Risk Torres

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque insists he will not play Fernando Torres against Bosnia-Herzegovina if he is injured.

The Liverpool striker has been suffering from problems in his adductor muscle over the past week, although he did play 53 minutes in the victory over Armenia on Saturday.

With Spain having already qualified for the World Cup in South Africa next year, del Bosque has assured Reds boss Rafa Benitez that he will not risk Torres if there are any doubts over his fitness.

"Torres is in very good hands here," Del Bosque told AS.

"Yesterday (Sunday) he stayed at the hotel and did not train because we went to a pitch in which there was no stretcher. He stayed at the hotel with the physios.

"Rafael Benitez has called me and I reassured him. We will care very much for Torres, like the rest.

"I told him (Benitez) that we will treat Torres as if he was at Liverpool. If the boy is well and wants to play, he will play against Bosnia. And if he has any problem, he will not play. It's that simple."

Del Bosque has received criticism from some quarters that he is favouring Barcelona after he allowed Xavi, who is carrying a similar injury to Torres, to leave the squad.

"I insist that there is no preferential treatment and there is the best care for everyone," he added.

"I respect everyone but they have to respect the national team. We have a duty to win and to call up the best.

"I don't care if a player comes from (Real) Madrid, Barcelona or Fenerbahce. Taking a player along for the sake of it has never been my style."

A statement from the Spanish Football Federation said: "Fernando Torres will not abandon the Spain camp as several media outlets have said.

"The forward, who has been hindered by some adductor pain, underwent a scan after lunch which showed encouraging results.

"The player has improved thanks to the physiotherapy carried out by the medical staff and we are studying the possibility of the player participating in part of the afternoon training session."

Dutch Star: I Love Liverpool

Dutch international Dirk Kuyt has stressed how he is enjoying life on Merseyside with Liverpool despite the club’s poor start to the season.

The striker, who played for his homeland in a friendly against the Socceroos in Australia this week, is expected to feature against Sunderland despite his long round-trip and hopes that the Reds can now focus on getting their title challenge back on track.

“I am a very happy person,” Kuyt told Fifa.com.

“I love the city of Liverpool, very nice, warm and respected people. I love Liverpool Football Club. Every day that I can be there, it makes me more than happy. I try to play as good and as long as possible for Liverpool.”

“To play in England is already unbelievable, when you look at all the supporters. If you play for Liverpool it is unbelievable and the supporters are an extra dimension. I have never seen such good supporters before I came to Anfield.

“I was used to playing at Feyenoord with a fantastic crowd, definitely the best in Holland, but when I came to Anfield it was another level. It really helps us and I'm sure it helps us when we are in difficult times, so the supporters are really important to us.”

Responding to suggestions that he may eventually return to Holland, Kuyt continued:

“I have just signed an extension of my Liverpool contract so I am more than happy. I am just trying to keep going (at Liverpool) for as long as possible, and we will see what the future brings. I will always have a special feeling for Feyenoord. It was, and still is a very important club for me, but at the moment I am very happy at Liverpool.”

Daniel Agger On German Radar As Borussia Moenchengladbach Weigh Up Loan Move For Liverpool Defender

Borussia Moenchengladbach are lining up a cheeky bid to take Liverpool defender Daniel Agger on loan.

The Bundesliga side's sporting director Max Eberl confirmed he had sent scouts to watch Denmark beat Sweden 1-0 on Saturday, but refused to confirm they were looking at the centre half.

Agger, who has been dogged by a back injury, played 90 minutes for the Danes, impressing against Barcelona star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But he has yet to play for Liverpool so far this season and the Germans are prepared to pay half his wages to take him on loan and nurture him back to full fitness over the second half of the season, reports German newspaper Bild.

But Liverpool are themselves counting on the 24-year-old's return after an unconvincing start to the season that has seen them leak 12 goals in eight Premier League matches.

Agent Denies Yossi Interest

Yossi Benayoun's agent, Ronen Katsav, insists his client is happy at Liverpool despite reported interest from Manchester City.

The Israel international has been linked with a move to Eastlands this weekend in a number of British newspapers but Katsav has denied that there is any truth behind the speculation.

The 29-year-old has impressed this term, scoring three goals in 10 games in all competitions - with all of them coming against Burnley.

However, Reds manager Rafa Benitez left the former West Ham favourite on the bench for the biggest clash of the season against Chelsea last week, giving the impression that Benayoun still has a way to go before he is classed as one of Liverpool's main men.

"Naturally a player playing well at Liverpool will always have other teams interested in him," Katsav told the Israeli press.

"It is a great compliment that there is interest from high level teams across Europe but Yossi is very happy at Liverpool and only in the summer agreed a new four-year contract for four more seasons."

Kenny Dalglish Delighted To See Daniel Agger Back For Liverpool

Liverpool hero Kenny Dalglish believes that the return of centre-back Daniel Agger from injury will provide a big boost to the Red line-up.

A back problem has seen the Danish international sidelined so far this season, but he returned to action for the reserves last week and played 90 minutes of Denmark's 1-0 win over Sweden on Saturday.

"While the first-team squad were in Italy recently, Daniel Agger was making his return from injury in the less romantic surroundings of the reserve league, but he will be delighted, as will the manager and the punters, to get back into action," Dalglish told LFC Weekly.

"It's a shame that he's missed so much football over the last couple of years because he's a top class defender, and with him nearing a return to the first-team reckoning then the manager has got good options and permutations in the centre of his defence with Carra [Jamie Carragher], [Martin] Skrtel, [Sotirios] Kyrgiakos and Agger back to health."

And Dalglish feels that Agger adds another varied option to those available at the back to Rafa Benitez.

He added: "They've all got their particular strengths and they're all internationals with a wealth of experience. Agger's a lovely silky footballer, in the way he brings the ball out of defence and commits teams who like to sit deep.

"Being able to call on him in the future will be important for the team."

Javier Mascherano Set For Showdown With Rafa Benitez Over New Liverpool Contract

Javier Mascherano is on a collision course with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

The Argentine midfielder still harbours resentment over Benitez’s refusal to sell him to Barcelona in the summer and Liverpool’s subsequent refusal to hand him a pay rise that would bring him into line with the club’s top earners.

Benitez did claim in August there was a willingness at Anfield to offer Mascherano a new deal to ease his disappointment at missing out on a dream move to Barca.

But Mascherano has not come close to the form that made him one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers last season.

And there is a reluctance from the club to enter into negotiations about a new contract until the 25-year-old starts hitting the heights once more. The lack of progress has simply deepened Mascherano’s sense of frustration – and Juventus have now joined Barcelona in monitoring his situation on Merseyside.

But an Anfield insider said: “There is a feeling that Mascherano had his head turned by reports of Barcelona’s interest in the summer and that his form has been affected.

“Until his attitude changes there will be no talks about a new contract.”

There was never any prospect of Liverpool selling the Argentine hustler once Benitez allowed Xabi Alonso (right) to join Real Madrid in a £32million deal.

Mascherano feels his status as one of the club’s top earners should be rewarded with an improvement on his current £60,000-a-week wages.

With Alonso departed, Benitez has been relying on Mascherano to exert his influence even more.

With £20m new-boy Alberto Aquilani still to make his debut following his arrival from Roma – the Italian is expected to play against –Sunderland next week – the Liverpool boss has been forced to rely on Mascherano and young Brazilian Lucas Leiva.

But three defeats in eight Premier League games have already made it difficult to bring an end to a title drought now in its 20th year.

There was more frustration with Mascherano when his initial mistake led to Nicolas Anelka scoring Chelsea’s first goal in their 2-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last week.