Benitez Aims To Land ‘Best of British’

Benitez promised Liverpool will continue to pursue a “Best of British” transfer policy whenever possible this summer as they begin the task of rebuilding.

The Reds swooped to sign hot prospect Jonjo Shelvey – who has played for England at a number of youth levels – last month from Charlton Athletic in a £1.7m deal.

They are also close to wrapping up a move for Glasgow Rangers defender Danny Wilson, a move that looks all the more shrewd after he was named Scotland’s Young Player of the Year.

In the past, Benitez has been criticised for favouring the foreign transfer market and not giving home-grown players the opportunity to show they are good enough to play for Liverpool.

Benitez, however, has defended his policy and has made it clear he would be happy to chase deals for English players – as long as the right option comes along.

“It is something that we have always tried to do,” he said. “We tried to sign Gareth Barry, we did the same with (Glen) Johnson. That was always the idea.

“We have tried to bring in British players with the right mentality and the passion for the club.

“We want them to know what it means to play for Liverpool Football Club.

“Shelvey is an addition like that. We are trying to do what is best for the club. We have a long-term plan in place and we try to follow that.”

"I Want Liverpool To Be The Number One Club In The World"

Robbie Fowler is desperate to see Liverpool fall into the right hands as supporters, players and back room staff waits for current owners George Gillet and Tom Hicks to formally put the Premier League club up for sale.

The former Anfield favourite, who is currently plying his trade in Australia, is also sure that star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will not seek a move away from the struggling Liverpool despite reported interest from the likes of Manchester City, Inter Milan and Chelsea and with the future of Rafael Benitez under a cloud.

Fowler is nothing short of a Liverpool legend following two stints at the club which saw him play in the front of the Kop for a combined total of nine years. Speaking to Sky Sports News about the sad state of affairs enveloping his former club, Fowler reflected on Liverpool’s future.

"I want Liverpool to be the number one club in the world.

"Obviously the current owners have put the club up for sale and for the life of me I can't think why there are no takers just yet.

"You always want the best players and as far as I'm concerned Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torrres are the best players.

"I hope they stay and I can't see them leaving to be honest. I mean they've both come out on record saying how much they love the club and that's good enough for me."

Liverpool finished seventh in the Premier League last season, slipping five places from their best ever performance the year before. Having failed to secure Champions League football and instead facing another season in the Europa League it has been hinted that the club might struggle to attract top continental stars.

Steven Gerrard Calls For Return Of Fan Power

Steven Gerrard believes England’s fans can make the difference in South Africa as Fabio Capello’s side begin their World Cup build-up in earnest.

The bulk of England’s World Cup squad jetted out of Heathrow yesterday morning for the first of their two altitude training camps in Austria.

Gerrard was among 24 players on the trip, which is being used as preparation for England’s opening group game on June 12 against the United States at Rustenburg – 1,500 metres above sea level.

The only men were the five players involved in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley, plus Gareth Barry, who continues to have treatment on the ankle injury that makes him a major doubt for the finals.

England return home to face Mexico in a friendly next Monday before another spell in Austria that includes a friendly against Japan in Graz on May 30, after which Capello will name his 23-man finals squad on June 1.

A large number of England supporters are expected to make the journey to South Africa, with Capello’s men also likely to enjoy a degree of local backing.

And vice-captain Gerrard is convinced those fans can play a part as England aim for a first major tournament success since 1966.

“The fans see that we’re working really hard to improve and we’re desperate to achieve something for them,” said Gerrard. “That is what we do it for.

“It would be fantastic if we could send them home from South Africa really happy and really proud of the team.

“I’ve played in situations where the fans haven’t been behind the team and it’s difficult. It affects performance and individuals and it’s not helpful.

“But on the other hand, I’ve played in front of a packed Wembley when the fans are roaring us on to victory and it’s a massive help.

“If we can get that kind of support in the World Cup, it could be key for us in getting over this quarter-final hurdle and going further.

“That’s the message I’d like to send to the fans – get behind us, roar us on and it will definitely help us out there.”

Meanwhile, new Liverpool signing Jonjo Shelvey has been tipped to emerge as an heir to Gerrard’s midfield mantle at Anfield.

Rafael Benitez moved to snap up the England youth international from Charlton Athletic earlier this month for an initial £1.7million with further potential payments depending on domestic and international appearances.

And Charlton’s academy director Steve Gritt believes the acquisition will prove a shrewd piece of business.

“Even before he made his debut, we knew Jonjo was a special player,” said Gritt.

“He’s the kind that only comes through an academy system once in a while. From a very young age, everybody at the club believed that he would progress to become a Premier League player because he had so much potential. Now I am certain he’ll fulfil all that early promise.

“The last few years have seen development in terms of height and strength. I’m sure he’s still got a bit of weight to put on and when he does he’ll have that Premier League presence that is a minimum requirement these days.

“It has been said in the past, and I have to agree that he has a bit of Gerrard in him. He can get box to box, he’s got a very good range of passing and he can see an opportunity where others can’t. He’s the kind of player that if he sees a goalkeeper off his line 30-40 yards out, he’s precocious enough to shoot.

“If he’s got any faults, he’d probably admit that he’s got to improve on the defensive side of the game. Because he’s such an attacking player, naturally there are going to be aspects of his defensive game that he’ll have to improve. I’m sure he will.”

Inter Prepare Formal Bid To Bring Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez To Serie A

Inter are set to open formal talks with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, according to The Mirror.

Current boss Jose Mourinho is set to end his two-year stay at Giuseppe Meazza after this weekend's Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Benitez has been lined up as the replacement for 'the Special One', and could decide to call time on his Anfield reign.

The Italian champions have already accepted that Mourinho is destined for the Real Madrid hot-seat. Chairman Massimo Moratti has admiited: “It will be a surprise now if he stays.”

Inter’s first choice was England coach Fabio Capello, but the Italian has pledged to stay in the job until at least Euro 2012. Moratti has now begun the process to begin talks with Liverpool to hire Benitez.

Informal contact is reported to already be underway between the Spaniard’s agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, and Inter. An approach is expected to follow next week.

Barcelona To Outbid Chelsea For Torres

Barcelona are ready to make an audacious bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Reports in Spain suggest that Barcelona are ready to outbid Chelsea for Fernando Torres.

Barcelona have appeared to have won the race to sign David Villa from Valencia.

And it is thought they will do whatever it takes to bring Torres back to Spain.

A deal to sign Torres would cost in the region of £70million, a figure that would push the limits of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's considerable purse strings.

Rafa Benitez has made it clear he wants to keep Torres if he remains in charge at the club and the player himself would have to ask for the move to force Liverpool's hand and spark formal negotiations.

Torres has so far remained eerily quiet on his future, as he and his advisors consider whether Liverpool can meet his personal ambitions and aims without Champions League football next term.

Rafael Benitez Keen On Sevilla Winger Jesus Navas

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is believed to have identified Sevilla winger Jesus Navas as a summer transfer target, according to Spanish publication AS.

The talented 24-year-old has been a revelation for the Andalusian side this season and is almost certain to be included in the Spain squad for the World Cup finals having already made the 30-man provisional list.

The Reds boss is reportedly keen to secure the signature of Navas to bolster their attacking options on the right wing but attempts to sign the player are likely to be met with fierce resistance for a number of reasons.

Firstly, Liverpool are said to be proposing a fee of around €17 million which falls well short of the €60 million stipulated in Navas' buyout clause.

The absence of UEFA Champions League football on Merseyside, something Sevilla secured at the weekend, is likely to be another major obstacle while Navas is also known to suffer from anxiety problems when spending long periods of time away from home. Although these problems have diminished somewhat in recent months, they may prove a bridge too far in trying to relocate the star to Anfield.

Chelsea Track Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun To Replace Outgoing Joe Cole

Chelsea appears resigned to losing Joe Cole in the summer but are lining up Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun as a replacement, according to a report by ESPNsoccernet.

Cole has not yet come to an agreement with the Blues over a new deal, with his current contract set to expire, and the Israeli has been lined up to fill the Cole-shaped hole in at Stamford Bridge next season.

A Stamford Bridge insider told Soccernet: "There is no doubt that Yossi Benayoun is highly thought of at the club, and it wouldn't surprise me if he came to Chelsea."

Cole recently said he was not thinking about his Chelsea future until after the World Cup, putting his England chances ahead of any new deal in west London, but it appears the Blues are one step ahead with their interest in Benayoun.

After a season mostly blighted by injury it's no surprise Cole is way down the Castrol Rankings. He comes in at No.1126, making him only the 16th best Chelsea player in the listings.

Rafa - We Can Attract The Best

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez remains confident that the club can still attract high caliber signings despite the absence of UEFA Champions League football.

The Reds concluded a disappointing Premier League campaign with a seventh-placed finish, losing their grip on a much-coveted place at Europe's top table.

The outcome means Benitez's team will be competing in the Europa League next season and the Spaniard is hoping funds will be available to strengthen his squad as he looks to restore the Anfield club's reputation.

Speculation still surrounds Benitez and his future on Merseyside, with both Inter and AC Milan said to be interested in recruiting the 50-year-old.

Juventus had been keen on taking on the Liverpool boss but the Old Lady opted for Luigi Del Neri instead, although Leonardo's departure from Milan and Jose Mourinho's expected exit from Inter could pave the way for Benitez.

But the former Valencia tactician said he was focusing on plans for his existing employers, explaining Liverpool's status in the world of football would still make it an attractive choice - despite a dearth of cash and no place in Europe's premier club competition.

Benitez said: "Liverpool is a massive club and can attract top-class players because of their name and their history and the quality we have in the squad.

"Always we have targets in mind. We have been working and preparing the targets and every year is the same."

Stephen Darby Scores Penalty Shoot-out Winner To Send Swindon To Wembley

Liverpool’s on-loan defender Stephen Darby fired Swindon to Wembley with the winning penalty in the shoot-out at the end of Monday night’s League One semi-final second leg with Charlton at the Valley.

Charlton skipper Nicky Bailey’s missed penalty proved costly on a night of drama at The Valley.

Midfielder Bailey left the field in tears after sending his side’s second penalty of the shoot-out high over the crossbar, while Liverpool’s Darby converted Swindon’s final spot-kick to secure Town a shot at reaching the Championship.

Swindon had looked down and out midway through the second half when, at 2-0 down on the night and 3-2 on aggregate, they lost defender Gordon Greer to a red card.

But the 10 men levelled through Danny Ward and, when 180 minutes of football plus half an hour’s extra-time, six goals and two sending-offs failed to separate the sides, the Robins prevailed on penalties.

Danny Wilson’s side will now face either Huddersfield or Millwall in next weekend's final, who meet tonight.

Charlton had by far the better of the chances in extra-time but the Addicks, relegated from the Premier League just three years ago, could not find a way through and when penalties came around, the Robins’ and Darby’s nerve held where Bailey’s did not.

Mourinho: Liverpool Is An Incredible Phenomenon

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has taken a veiled swipe at the current standard of the Premier League as he ran the rule over the achievements of Carlo Ancelotti in his first season in charge of Chelsea. The Italian coach saw his Stamford Bridge outfit secure their first Double when they beat Portsmouth on Saturday at Wembley; a feat that not even the ‘Special One’ achieved despite his considerable success in England.

However, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Champions League final the Portuguese coach stressed that while he was pleased for the Blues, it was the lack of consistency amongst their rivals which opened the door for more silverware in west London. Pinpointing the struggles faced by Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, Mourinho also took time to dismiss championship challenge from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Mourinho won the Premier League title twice while coach at Chelsea, beating off competition from Arsene Wenger’s ‘invincible’ Arsenal side to win the title by 12 points in 2004-05 before retaining their crown by holding off the likes of Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool and Sir Alex Ferguson’s previously dominant Manchester United.

Quitting the following season to be replaced by Avram Grant, Mourinho’s former side reached the Champions League final in Moscow, only to be beaten by Manchester United on penalties. Having also surrendered their Premier League title to the men from Old Trafford and subsequently seen Liverpool overtake them in the league in 2008-09 it has been a resurgent Chelsea side who has confidently taken the field under Ancelotti in the last nine months. Speaking to the Sunday Times about the competition he faced in England, Mourinho started by targeting Arsene Wenger's shift in philosophy at Arsenal before hammering Liverpool for their gradual decline:

“Arsenal won it in an incredible way [2003-04] and after that they thought they could win in a different way.

“They cannot win it in a different way. Either they go back to where they were or they don’t do it.

“Man United lost Ronaldo. Okay, the coach is a tremendous coach, the team is full of great players, but Ronaldo is Ronaldo, and he scores 30 goals a season. Ronaldo wins points and points and points. When a club and the league lose a player like Ronaldo it loses a lot.

“Liverpool is an incredible phenomenon. From 2004 to 2010 it looks like the team instead of improving is getting worse. Tottenham is coming, Aston Villa is coming, Man City is coming, but I think that magic of a fight of titans, all of them very, very strong in the top of the League, I don’t see this season was like this.

“Chelsea was out of Champions League very, very soon. They could concentrate on the championship — and they did it very well. Carlo is very experienced, he kept the team calm and focused, and he didn’t let them lose focus and confidence. They concentrate very, very well in the championship, and they deserve to win it in the end.”

Juventus Set To End Pursuit Of Benitez

The Liverpool Echo claims that Italian giants Juventus will not appoint Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez in the end, despite constant speculation that he would move to Turin.

Benitez has made his frustration over the future direction of Liverpool clear and last week met with new chairman Martin Broughton to seek assurances. Juventus have been closely linked to Benitez for months and were thought to have made concrete offers to the Spaniard.

However, the Liverpool Echo claims that incoming Juventus president Andrea Agnelli favours the appointment of Sampdoria coach Luigi Del Nieri, speculating that he could be announced as the successor to Alberto Zaccheroni this week.

Should this prove to be the case, Benitez's Anfield future is still in doubt. If Jose Mourinho leaves Inter Milan, Benitez's name will no doubt be linked to the San Siro. Although Benitez has four years remaining on his Liverpool contract, it would seem unlikely that he will stay at Anfield without a firm financial basis with which to strengthen his squad.

Given that unpopular American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have put the club up for sale, this is far from certain.

Debt-ridden Liverpool To Miss Out On Summer Signings

Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez is likely to miss out on a number of transfer targets this summer with a takeover of the struggling club unlikely to happen before the start of next season.

The former Valencia manager was a target for Juventus, but the Italian giants ended their interest after Benítez failed to give them a clear answer about whether he was willing to join the Turin side.

Benítez had looked at a number of potential signings in the summer with things looking up after co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett put the club up for sale. But a lack of potential investors and a high asking price means a takeover is unlikely to happen during the summer transfer window.

Meetings with the club’s new part-time chairman Martin Broughton will not have made the Liverpool boss any more optimistic, with the Chelsea supporter failing to offer the Spanish boss any assurances on the clubs summer transfer policy.

Liverpool have been linked with Sevilla winger Jesus Navas, West Ham striker Carlton Cole and Werder Bremen forward Mesut Ozil, but with Liverpool’s financial future looking increasingly bleak it’s unlikely the debt-ridden club will be able to compete for the players’ signatures.

One glimmer of hope for Liverpool supporters will be the arrival of former Standard Liege front man Milan Jovanovic, who agreed a pre-contract agreement with the Reds in his last year with the Belgian club to ensure he’d be at Anfield in time for the new season.

It looks increasingly likely that Benítez will have to look for more free transfers such as Jovanvic and Maxi Rodriguez, with reports suggesting the Liverpool manger is unlikely to see any real financial backing in the summer, which may force him to once again sell off players in order to fund new signings.

Even more worrying for Liverpool supporters will be comments from Javier Mascherano which suggested he may look to leave Merseyside for Barcelona. If the Argentine does leave Anfield he may be the first of a number of a number of first-team players to make their way out of Anfield in the summer.

Race On For Reds Starlet

Skysports.com understands a number of clubs are eyeing Liverpool defender Robbie Threlfall.

Left-back Threlfall seems set to leave Liverpool this summer upon the expiration of his contract.

The news has alerted a number of clubs to Threlfall's availability on a free transfer.

Threlfall has just ended a productive loan spell at Bradford where he made 17 appearances, scoring two goals for the League Two outfit.

A host of sides are believed to have kept tabs on Threlfall's progress during his time at Bradford and could now move for him this summer.

Mascherano Admits Barca Blow

Javier Mascherano has admitted his form was affected by last summer's transfer talks over a move from Liverpool to Barcelona.

And the Argentina captain has left the door open again for Barca by saying it's "a shame" for himself and his family that he did not secure a move to the Catalan capital.

The 25-year-old midfielder was in talks over joining the Spanish champions but a switch did not materialize.

He then made a slow start to the season with Liverpool and although he finished the campaign strongly, it was an ultimately disappointing year for the Reds as they finished seventh.

Rafa Benitez signed him on a four-year deal in February 2008 after joining on loan from West Ham a year earlier, but Mascherano could be leaving early after hinting he would still welcome a move.

"The situation with Barcelona really affected me,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

"It was a shame it didn't happen as it was the city where I wanted to live.

"There were many discussions and problems during that month-and-a-half. They were difficult times for me. One day I was off to Barcelona, the next I wasn't, and Liverpool said I was non-transferable.

"Psychologically, it affected me as I couldn't think in Liverpool and I was focused on other stuff and not on my work, my training and playing.

"Also, we were having problems with Argentina as our qualification to the World Cup was in danger. There was a lot of complicated stuff at that time."

Mascherano insists he is happy with life in England but his wife is finding it hard to settle.

"I have no problem living in Liverpool,” he said. "But my wife and daughters deserve to enjoy every day to the full and live their lives, but they have to be home all day.

"My wife doesn't speak a word of English so she depends 100 per cent on me. I live here with them. That's my world, that's my life. "

Carlton Cole Battle Hots Up As Liverpool And Villa Join Race For Striker

Liverpool and Aston Villa have joined the race for Carlton Cole after it emerged last night that West Ham rejected a £10million bid for the striker.

The offer has come from Birmingham who is desperate to prise the England frontman away from Upton Park.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has spoken directly to Hammers chief executive Karren Brady about a deal made up of £8million cash with £2million in bonuses.

The offer was rejected out of hand by Brady, whom City believes is trying to spark an auction for the player.

The dismissal of Birmingham's bid is all the more surprising given the fact that Cole remains one of the players West Ham insist they are willing to sell.

Indeed, co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are understood to have been in touch with a string of agents in an attempt to get the best possible deal for the player.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been a big fan of Cole for some time and, in the last week, the club have contacted West Ham about putting together a deal.

Liverpool too has expressed an interest and remains keen despite the fact that Cole has been left out of Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup.

Cole, 26, began his career with Chelsea in 2001. A highly-rated youngster, he was sent out on loan to Wolves, Villa and Charlton before joining West Ham permanently in 2006.

Rafa Lines Up £11m Move For 11m Sampdoria Man Giampaolo Pazzini

Liverpool are lining up a bid for Italian striker Giampaolo Pazzini this summer as Rafa Benitez looks to bring in new attacking options to his faltering Anfield side. After a break out season at Sampdoria the 25 year old has become a target for many sides looking to lure the former Fiorentina man away from the Genoa side.

The Merseyside club has found themselves too reliant on Fernando Torres over the past two seasons and Benitez is looking to bring in reinforcements. Whilst the club has secured Milan Jovanovic on a free deal they are still hopeful of bringing in another striker to the club.

Pazzini is valued at around £11m and whilst Liverpool is in financial difficulties Benitez believes he can finance any deal for the Italian international by selling some of his squad players. The likes of Albert Rieira, Philipp Degen and Ryan Babel could all be set to leave the club this summer and their sales would help bring in money to help any move for the Italian international.

Liverpool Fans Considering Season Ticket Boycott In Protest At Hicks And Gillett

Liverpool fans are considering a boycott of season tickets in the summer in protest at the club’s owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Thousands of supporters hope hitting the owners in the pocket will persuade them to reduce their sale price and leave after putting the club £237 million in debt.

Although Liverpool supporters union Spirit of Shankly say an organised boycott is not yet on the cards, the anti-Hicks and Gillett campaign is gathering momentum.

“Fans are considering giving up season tickets to the games next year if Hicks and Gillett are still in charge,” Spirit of Shankly spokesman James McKenna exclusively told Goal.com UK.

“Fans are looking at what we can do to affect Hicks and Gillett’s ownership.

“A mass boycott is not something that’s on the agenda at the moment. But if their regime continues, I know that a lot of fans will be asking serious questions whether they should go to the games.”

A protest that denied Hicks and Gillett much-needed revenue could have a serious impact on the financial running of the club.

Liverpool are currently £237m in the red. Concerns grew stronger recently with the revelation that the Merseysiders registered record annual losses of £55m for the year ending July 2009 and are paying £110,000-a-day in interest payments.

Representatives from Spirit of Shankly met with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore in London last Friday to air their concerns about the way in which the club is being run and, while Scudamore backed the ongoing protests, he told the fans group the debts amassed by Hicks and Gillett are currently sustainable.

“They are satisfied the long-term future of the club is not threatened because we have saleable assets such as players who can still be sold down the line,” McKenna said.

“But our idea of sustainability is different to theirs. We are aware we could go down the path of Leeds United if the debt can’t be paid. When you are losing money, you can’t move forward. It’s a very scary thought.

“Fans want issues resolved. We support the football team and don’t support the financial team.”

Hicks and Gillett officially put Liverpool up for sale last month and drafted in British Airways chairman Martin Broughton to help speed up the process.

“We have asked several questions to Martin Broughton to find out what is going on,” explained McKenna. “We are awaiting a response. We feel the future of our club Liverpool, in its current format, is unsustainable.

“This summer is vital for Liverpool Football Club, not just on the pitch in terms of getting a foothold in the transfer market but in terms of sorting out the ownership. It’s quite clear that off the pitch matters are affecting what happens on the pitch.

“Our plans now are to keep the pressure on Hicks and Gillett to make sure we are listened to.

“We want to see fit and proper owners who are prepared to invest in the club, don’t tell lies and live up to their promises.”

Asked about the future of manager Rafael Benitez, McKenna said: “Personally, I want him to stay. Even if you wanted him out, a new manager would want money to spend on players and we haven’t got that.”

Liverpool Place £10 Million Transfer Fee On Benitez

Liverpool have placed a massive £10million transfer fee on manager Rafa Benitez.

That’s the reason his proposed move to Juventus has been held up – and possibly scuppered altogether.

When the Italian club made an official approach for Benitez, Liverpool demanded £10m in compensation, as their Spanish boss still has four years left on his contract.

Juventus have refused to meet that figure and no compromise deal has been agreed. The situation has left Benitez, and Liverpool, in limbo – so Juventus are now considering other targets.

The Anfield side were so convinced that the Italian giants would pay the compensation that they started the search for a new manager. As revealed in the Daily Star Sunday last week, their preference was to go for a British boss, with Aston Villa’s Martin O’Neill at the top of their wanted list.

But with Benitez still at Anfield, Liverpool have had to put their plans on hold.

And the delay in the deal could cause problems as the Merseysiders look to strengthen their squad for next season.

They are currently looking at a number of players – but new faces are unlikely to join when they don’t know who will be in charge.

Aston Villa Chairman Randy Lerner Tells Liverpool To Forget About Taking Martin O'Neill

Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner has warned Liverpool that his manager Martin O'Neill will not be leaving Villa Park this summer.

Recent reports have suggested that the talented Ulsterman had been viewed as the ideal replacement at Anfield should Rafael Benitez choose to leave.

However, the American billionaire has been quick to quash such rumours and is adamant his much admired manager will still be in charge of the west Midlands outfit come the start of next season.

"I don't want a manager who nobody else wants. But, as far as I'm concerned, Liverpool are not taking Martin O'Neill away from Aston Villa," Lerner told The Daily Star.

There have been reports in recent weeks that the relationship between chairman and manager at the Birmingham based club has become strained.

However, Lerner insisted he is happy with the way things are developing with his side reaching the League Cup final and finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Lerner, who also owns the Cleveland Browns in Ohio, admitted he also admired O'Neill's straight talking personality.

"If you look at the top managers, you realise you are dealing with animated, complicated people," added Lerner.

"With Martin [O'Neill] you've got a lot of personality, a lot of points of view, a lot of history and a lot of stuff going on.

"I realise that's who my manager is. And I don't want anything different than what I have here now."

Lerner also delivered a warning to Villa fans that funding a big summer spending spree was out of the question.

"I tell the truth. To anybody who asks me, I will simply say that I cannot afford it," he added.

"It isn't that I'm not prepared to write the cheque. But we have tried to build the club in a steady, reasonable way. And £30 million players are not a part of that.

"You also have to consider what you would pay the player and what the other players would think about it.

"It would just not be at all consistent with anything that we have done since I've been at the club."

Kuyt Says Liverpool Must Buy Players To Challenge Again

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has said that some signings must be made in order to challenge for trophies again.

The Reds suffered a very disappointing season, missing out on Champions League football and will suffer the ignominy of starting their Europa League campaign at the first hurdle in July.

With unpopular American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett having put the club up for sale, there is much uncertainty over Liverpool's financial future and consequently the Anfield careers of Rafa Benitez and star players such as Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Kuyt said that new players are needed, commenting, “If we can buy a few more players, I think we will be really close to winning trophies again."

Looking to the future, Kuyt said that the Reds must make amends next season, commenting, “Liverpool is a massive club,

“It’s very disappointing that we don’t have the Champions League because, up until last season, we had done so well in the competition.

“But this is what has happened. We have just got to make sure that we will be right back in it next year. Players who want to play in the Champions League would like Liverpool.

“We just have to make sure that we will back in it within one year.”