World Cup Makes Signing Players Difficult, Says Liverpool Boss Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez says the upcoming World Cup finals is hampering his attempts to land his summer transfer targets.

Despite ongoing speculation linking him with a move to Italy, the Liverpool boss has insisted his future is at Anfield and is pressing on with plans to strengthen his squad.

Benitez has already snapped up teenage midfielder Jonjo Shelvey from Charlton for £1.7million and is expected to complete a £2.5m deal for Rangers defender Danny Wilson when the transfer window opens next month.

However, with most top stars currently away on international duty in the build up to next month’s World Cup in South Africa, the Spaniard insists it’s a difficult time to do business.

“We are working on our signings for the next transfer window,” Benitez said.

“But now we have the added difficulty that the World Cup always brings.

“I have my ideas and I know what I want, but we just have to wait.”

Benitez’s coffers have been boosted by the sale of Mikel San Jose to Athletic Bilbao for £2.6m.

The 20-year-old defender spent this season on loan at the Spanish club. San Jose originally arrived at Anfield from Bilbao in 2007.

He was a regular in the reserves but never made a competitive first team appearance.

His new contract will tie him to the Basque club until 2015 and has a buy-out clause of 30million euros.

Benitez was in Spain yesterday to receive the Agustin de Betancourt medal from the University of Madrid. The award marked his contribution to the sport since he obtained a degree in physical education in his home city in 1982.

Benitez insisted his days as a student helped prepare him for life in management.

And he believes the intense pressure he’s under at Anfield won’t ease until he ends the Reds’ 20-year wait for the league title.

He said: “Back then I learned methodology, the habit of studying, analysing and finding solutions and the knowledge to tackle problems.

“As a manager you know you have responsibilities. There are demands on you and you have to get used to it. Every week you have to pass a test.

“As a manager you have to try to be respectful, correct, sometimes positive, other times not so much.

“A coach has to try to protect his players so that they can perform. When things go badly, it is the manager’s responsibility. That is normal. It is impossible to ignore the pressure until you have won the title.”

Sammy Lee Praying For No Injuries To Liverpool Players At The World Cup

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee will be paying particularly close attention to next month’s World Cup – primarily because he wants to keep a check on the fitness of the club’s players.

Top of the list will be striker Fernando Torres, who has had two knee operations in three months and missed the Reds’ final seven matches of the season as he recovered.

The 26-year-old is likely to spearhead Spain’s attack with David Villa and Lee will be watching to see how well he has recovered.

Other key players likely to be at the World Cup who have struggled with injuries this season include England’s Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson, Argentina’s Maxi Rodriguez and Denmark’s Daniel Agger.

“I will be looking at it with great interest,” said Lee.

“We have a number of our boys away with their countries and that shows the strength in depth we have got at this football club.

“Our main concern when our players go away is that they remain fit and don’t pick up any injuries, because that has happened to us over the course of this season and the last one.

So although we are happy for them to go to the World Cup, we will be looking at them with great interest to see if they all stay fit and then come back to us ready and refreshed for pre-season.

“It’s a very proud moment for them to play for their country in the World Cup but it’s also proud for them to play for Liverpool Football Club and that is paramount for us.”

Youngster Set For Reds Move

Bradford City youngster Callum Pilkington is poised to complete a switch to Premier League side Liverpool.

The 14-year-old striker is reportedly set to move to Anfield for an undisclosed fee with add-ons set to follow.

Pilkington will become the latest Bantams youngster to move on to a top-flight club and the second in recent seasons to go to Liverpool.

Andre Wisdom swapped Valley Parade for the Reds two years ago, while Fabian Delph, Tom Cleverly, Ben Gordon and Danny Ward have all moved up.

Bradford are set for another season in League Two next term as they look to get out of the fourth tier.

Rafa Targets West Ham Pair

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hoping to land West Ham pair Valon Behrami and Matthew Upson.

The Anfield manager has previously been linked with both Upton Park players but will this summer push on with attempts to bring in new talents to the club by offering squad players in part exchange in order to save spending cash.

Right-sided Swiss international Valon Behrami will be starring in next month's World Cup and could well be one player on his way to an Upton Park exit. Co-owner David Sullivan has stated that practically his entire team is available at the right price and Benitez is an admirer of the former Lazio man.

Benitez is also a fan of England international centre-back Matthew Upson and is reportedly hoping to bring in a new defender to help shore up the Liverpool back line that was especially leaky during the first half of this season.

Italian Media: Juve To Make Improved Bid For Midfielder

According to reports in Italy, Juventus will make another approach to sign Liverpool FC midfielder Alberto Aquilani having initially been rebuffed in their efforts by a reluctant Rafa Benitez. Yesterday reports from Italy suggested Juve’s new coach Luigi De Nieri had placed Arsenal FC winger Theo Walcott at the top of his shortlist but today it appears they have earmarked another Premier League player.

Corriere dello Sport claim Juventus’ initial bid for the Liverpool FC midfielder was rejected, but such is their eagerness to sign the player who has underwhelmed at Anfield this season, they will return with a new bid to entice Benitez into offloading the former Roma star. De Nieri’s appointment has seen the club linked with a host of top players around the continent, most notably Arsenal FC’s Theo Walcott and Palermo’s Simon Kjaer, but Aquilani is believed to feature prominently in the club’s plans for the future.

The Italian newspaper claims Liverpool FC rejected an £11 million offer from Juventus, with the Premier League side eager to recoup as much of the £20 million they paid Roma in the summer. Despite Rafa Benitez insisting the player is not for sale, the report suggests he would part with the 25-year-old for £15 million. Whereas the Anfield supremo could be convinced into selling the player, Juventus’ alleged interest in the aforementioned Arsenal FC winger is likely to be given short shrift.

Liverpool Fear That Strained Relationship With Manager Rafael Benitez Could See Steven Gerrard Leave The Club This Summer

Liverpool are worried that Steven Gerrard could leave this summer due to growing frustration with manager Rafael Benitez.

The England international has made over 400 appearances for the Reds in over 11 years with the club, but the midfielder is upset after a disappointing season saw Liverpool finish seventh in the Premier League and fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The executives at Liverpool are fearful that their captain’s relationship with Benitez has been strained to the point enough that the Englishman could request a transfer in the summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Without funds to spend of new players the Reds will have a difficult time competing with England’s elite clubs for top talent in the transfer market.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal appear to be the three top teams in the Premier League, and Liverpool’s position in the discussion of the best clubs in English football could be threatened by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

Anfield stars like Gerrard and Fernando Torres have already expressed the need for Liverpool to acquire new stars to help the club improve, and should the Reds fail to spend it could mean their best players will abandon the team in order to win trophies.

Real Madrid and City have already expressed their interest in big money moves for Gerrard this summer and if the Spanish giants hire Jose Mourinho then the former Chelsea manager could convince the Engishman to join him at the Bernabeu next season.

Liverpool Set To Sign Reality TV Show Winner

Liverpool's first signing of the close season could be a Vietnamese reality TV show winner.

The winner of talent show Vietnam Soccer Prince will be awarded a 12-month contract at Anfield following next week's final.

The show is made by the production company that makes Britain's Got Talent - and features ex-Wycombe and Northampton midfielder Steve Brown as the program's Simon Cowell.

Brown has put the kids through their paces on the training pitch to test skills such as speed, co-ordination, teamwork and decision making, before telling unlucky contestants every week: "It's a no."

He said: "I am the show's Simon Cowell - I've been the one to tell the kids they weren't good enough.

"But he seems a lot tougher than me. Telling the kids they weren't good enough was a killer. I'd have to lock myself in a room for a couple of hours after filming, it really affected me.

"The series has lasted 10 weeks and at the beginning it was easy to let some of them go. But then when you get seven or eight weeks into it, you get attached to them."

Liverpool's Under-16 side has already travelled to Vietnam to play against some of the prospects, aged between 16 and 19.

A total of 2000 boys were whittled down to 20 to take part in the 10-week series. And now six remain in the battle for top honours, with the final due to air Saturday week.

The runner-up will get a one-year deal at Sheffield United.

Brown, who was youth coach at QPR until last year, added: "Four or five of them stood out from the start. Some of the kids over there have got what it takes.

"I look at them and think 'I have no doubt you will be able to handle the Liverpool academy'.

"The aim is not just to send someone there for 12 months; I'd like to see whoever wins to do enough to stay in the academy system at Liverpool."

Ayala Seals Schalke Win

A header from Daniel Ayala was enough to get Liverpool Reserves off to a winning start in the RUHR.2010 Cup in Germany on Thursday night.

The defender nodded home a Gerardo Bruna free-kick on seven minutes to wrap up a 1-0 win over Schalke.

Several Academy youngsters including 17-year-old John Flanagan took part in the game, which was played out in two 30 minute periods.

Nicola Saric was forced off with a groin injury after 25 minutes, ruling him out of Friday night's clash with Bayern Munich. Alex Kacaniklic is expected to come in.

Manager John McMahon said: "It's a good start because we're one of the youngest teams here. A lot of the other teams are older.

"We'll have to make a couple of changes tonight, especially because of the heat out here."

The tournament is based in Dortmund.

Liverpool FC Have Big Plans In South Africa

Liverpool FC, the English soccer club, sent a delegation to South Africa on Thursday led by former Liverpool and England star Phil Neal.

Neal, along with Liverpool coaches Steven Hollins and Eddie Sullivan, will visit the Phokeng Health Centre in an attempt to raise awareness of health issues amongst local children, as well as hold a coaching session at the Bafokeng Sports Campus - the team base for the England World Cup squad, which is expected to include the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

"We are honoured that this esteemed delegation from Liverpool has taken the time to come to the North West Province and share their experience with us," said George Khunou, the managing director of Royal Bafokeng Sports, to Kickoff.com.

"Liverpool represents excellence in everything it does and has a proud tradition in both football and serving the local community that supports it."

Carragher - Liverpool Will Bounce Back

Jamie Carragher is bracing himself for a summer of discontent at Liverpool.

The long-serving Reds defender is acutely aware that, after recording a disappointing seventh-placed finish under Rafael Benitez this season, the critics who love nothing better than taking a bite out of Liverpool are starting to bear their teeth.

"I know what it is like after a poor season. There is a lot of negativity," he said. "We have had it all season and I am sure we will have it again throughout the summer. Obviously I want to enjoy the World Cup and do well. But I can't wait to get back to Liverpool and try to put it right."

The depths to which Liverpool have startlingly plummeted are shown up starkly in the knowledge that their return to action will come during July for the third qualifying round of the Europa League, exactly the same stage as Fulham entered this term.

Benitez might have committed himself to the club after strong links with Juventus, but the futures of star men Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres continue to be discussed, along with combative midfielder Javier Mascherano.

With uncertainty over the club's ownership position continuing to linger, Reds fans could be forgiven for being severely worried about the months ahead.

However, Carragher insists they have no need.

"I want the people to come back who want to be there. If anyone doesn't want to be here, no problem. No-one is bigger than Liverpool Football Club," he said.

"People always talk about players leaving and saying 'this is the end of Liverpool'. No chance.

Rafael Benitez Still Uncertain How Much Cash Liverpool Can Spend This Summer

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez does not know yet whether he will have money to spend in the transfer market this summer after meetings with new Reds chairman Martin Broughton.

Broughton, a man brought in to oversee the sale of the club, has apparently informed Benitez that his kitty is dependent on how many players the Reds can sell this summer.

"I have had a couple of meetings with the new chairman to clarify the situation," the Spaniard told reporters in Madrid.

"We need to know how much money we have, and that also depends on (player) sales."

Meanwhile, following another attack on his management style from Reds outcast Albert Riera, Benitez insisted that his communication with his players worked well and he was not aloof as Riera had claimed.

"It is a lie that I don’t talk to the players," he asserted.

"He [Riera] made a mistake in an interview and I have witnesses and video of something that I will not count."

Carragher's Warning: Pack Your Bags If Not Committed To Liverpool

Jamie Carragher has told any players who wish to leave Liverpool that they should go if they are not committed to the club's future, a message which suggests he does not think the Reds will be served by Fernando Torres or Javier Mascherano staying under sufferance next season.

As Carragher's manager, Rafael Benitez, provided the first firm indication yesterday that he is preparing to take the biggest gamble of his 24-year managerial career by staying in place for the challenging battle ahead at Anfield, the defender made it clear he expects commitment from all quarters as Liverpool strive to "get back", as he put it.

Torres is a £60m player whom Roberto Mancini has made it clear he would dearly love to sign for Manchester City but he is not bigger than his current club, Carragher insisted. "The people who want to be there will come back," the 32-year-old said. "If people don’t then no problem. There will always be a Liverpool Football Club. People always talk about players leaving, about 'is this the end of Liverpool?' No chance. Better players than the ones we have now have left and we have replaced them. Anyone who doesn't want to be there, no problem, but we'll start next season with the players who want to do well."

Quite what Carragher has made of Benitez's representatives' choreographed dalliance with Juventus over the past few months does not need much imagination, but Torres has also hinted at dissatisfaction – publicly declaring that Liverpool require "four or five" new players" this summer to compete at the top of the Premier League – and Mascherano painted a graphic picture of his family's unhappy life in Liverpool last weekend. Liverpool can take some comfort from Barcelona concluding the £30m purchase of David Villa yesterday, which seems to rules out one possible destination for Torres, while some sources at Chelsea have suggested the club's interest in Torres is less substantial than has been reported. Torres will look painfully of out place in July's Europa League qualifying round, but Steven Gerrard's appetite for more struggles is also questionable and Yossi Benayoun has been equivocal about his whereabouts beyond this summer.

But Carragher, a part of whose heart was with his beloved club side even as he discussed the recall to the England set-up after a three-year absence, said he is expecting a summer of "negativity" where Liverpool are concerned and wants to put it behind him to get on with the next campaign. "As soon as [Liverpool's last game of the season] at Hull finished I wished the start of next season was the next day," Carragher said. "The best thing is to forget it and get on with it. I know what it's like on the back of a poor season. There's a lot of negativity all summer. We've had it all season and I'm sure we will again through the summer.

"During the World Cup I want to enjoy [international football] and do well but I also want to go back to Liverpool and do well there and get the club back where it wants to be. I just want us to get back. People will come back at different stages."

Carragher expects Benitez to be in situ – "Yes, I think so. He's said nothing to me to say he won't be," the defender said – and the Spaniard bore out that opinion. "My future is Liverpool, I have four more years of my contract and I want to complete them. I hope to make this team competitive again," Benitez said.

Stuttgart Consider Bid For Want-Away Liverpool Winger Riera

Stuttgart have shortlisted Liverpool's Albert Riera as a prime transfer target, according to German newspaper Stuttgarter Nachrichten.

The 28 year-old launched a scathing attack on Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez in March, saying, "The team's playing badly and needs changes. It is a sinking ship. But in the two years I have been here Benitez has never managed a situation with a player by talking to him."

A proposed move to Russia then fell through and although Riera was frozen out by Benitez for the final two months of the season, he remains a Liverpool player for now.

However, Riera has made his intention of leaving Anfield clear, saying yesterday, "I did not play the last two months [of the season] and right now my objective it is to go to a club were I can feel appreciated and where I can win trophies. I am not worried about the money now or the country I go to."

According to Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Riera may find that Stuttgart is an option. Coached by former Spurs boss Christian Gross, they may make a move for Riera or Napoli's wide midfielder Jesus Datolo.

Riera joined Liverpool from Espanyol for £8m two years ago, but he made only fifteen appearances this season, having been a first-team regular during his first season at the club.

Agent - Aquilani Exit Unlikely

Alberto Aquilani's agent believes only a huge bid would tempt Liverpool to sell the midfielder.

Franco Zavaglia has reiterated the creative Italian has no desire to return to his native land this summer despite ongoing speculation the Reds are prepared to offload the player they paid £20million for last year.

The latest rumour has suggested Juventus are back in the hunt the 25-year-old after naming Luigi Del Neri as their new manager and the Turin giants are said to be prepared to offer Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo as part of a swap deal.

But Zavaglia has dismissed his client's latest link with a Serie A comeback and expects the former Roma man to be plying his trade at Anfield next season.

He told Tuttomercatoweb: "For now Alberto was not required and I think it is not easy to bring him to Juventus.

"In this season, when he did not have ankle problems, he has always played and never had any problems, either with Benitez or with Liverpool.

"So they won't part with Aquilani unless they receive very heavy offers".

Juventus Will Have To Increase Bid To Capture Liverpool's Aquilani

According to Italian daily Corriere dello Sport, Juventus have already made an initial bid for Alberto Aquilani, but will have to increase their offer for Liverpool to let go of the midfielder.

25 year-old Aquilani had a difficult first season at Anfield and was hampered by injury. Although he began to find his form towards the end of the season, rumours have persisted that Aquilani has not settled in England.

Juventus, who finally appointed a new coach this week, Luigi Del Nieri, have expressed an interest in Aquilani, who moved to Liverpool from Roma last summer in a 22 million Euro deal.

Corriere dello Sport claims that Juventus have already made a bid of 11 million Euros for Aquilani, but that Liverpool want to recoup a larger chunk of the fee they paid for him last summer. However, they describe the initial offer as a "starting point for discussion", indicating that Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is willing to see the winger leave Anfield.

Aquilani made 23 appearances for Liverpool in Premier League and European competition last season scoring two goals and providing four assists. If he is to be sold, Aquilani will have cost Liverpool roughly one million Euros per game.

Liverpool And Everton To Fight It Out For Ajax Ace

Everton and Liverpool are competing to sign Ajax centre-back Jan Vertonghen.

Goodison boss David Moyes is eager to land the Belgium international, who has inspired his club to the Dutch FA Cup and second place in the league.

And Toffees officials have tabled an opening £9m bid for the 23-year-old, which Ajax turned down - but they are willing to accept £11m for him.

Vertonghen is under contract until 2013. He has been recommended by his national team-mate Marouane Fellaini, Everton’s record signing.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is also a big fan of Vertonghen, who helped Ajax concede just 20 goals in 34 games.

But his city rival Moyes leads the chase for the powerful defender, who has admirably replaced Thomas Vermaelen since his fellow Belgian quit Ajax for Arsenal in a £10m deal last summer.

Athletic Bilbao Sign Liverpool Defender Mikel San Jose

Primera Division outfit Athletic Bilbao has secured the services of young defender Mikel San Jose from English side Liverpool for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the Basque side.

The highly rated defender is a product of the Bilbao youth academy, but left the club for an adventure at Liverpool in the summer of 2007 before making any first team appearances.

San Jose failed to break into the first team at the Reds though and was therefore farmed out on loan back to Athletic Bilbao this season. The defender made 25 appearances this term and convinced them to make his move permanent.

Bilbao finished eighth in the league table and head coach Joaquin Caparros is determined to add some fresh blood to his squad this summer in order to fight for the European places again next season.

Liverpool FC Legend Billy Liddell Will Never Be Forgotten

A true Liverpool legend is set to be honoured this weekend with a memorial garden unveiled in his name.

Billy Liddell is one of Liverpool's most prolific goalscorers of all time.

Liddell was recommended to the Reds in 1938 by former Liverpool player and future Manchester United manager, Matt Busby.

Busby had spotted Liddell playing for his local amateur league side Lochgelly Violet and persuaded Liverpool to tempt the teenager south from his home in Townhill near Dunfermline.

It was a tremendous find. Less than two years later, Liddell made his senior debut. Over the next two decades he went on to score 228 goals in 534 appearances for Liverpool - the only club he played for as a professional.

Although he spent the last six years of his career playing in the old division two, Liddell was revered among his contemporaries for his strength and bravery as much as his goalscoring.

A Scotland international, Liddell joined Stanley Matthews in 1955 as the only two players to have the distinction of representing a Great British select XI twice some eight years after their first GB appearing.

He was inducted into the Scottish FA's hall of fame two years ago following a campaign by a group of his supporters, the Billy Liddell Memorial Group.

Inter Milan Deny Interest In Rafa Benitez

Inter Milan have strongly denied claims they have contacted Rafa Benitez with a view to him replacing Jose Mourinho at the San Siro.

While Benitez's future at Liverpool has been the subject of much speculation this year, Mourinho is favourite to take over from the under fire Manuel Pellegrini at Real Madrid.

The former Chelsea boss has said he will make a decision on his future after Saturday's Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu.

Should Mourinho head to Madrid on a permanent basis, Benitez is likely to be on Inter's shortlist to succeed him in Milan.

When asked about Benitez, though, Inter's sporting director Marco Branca told Sky Italia: “We absolutely have had no contact with Benitez.

“Our coach is Jose Mourinho.”

Benitez has also been linked with Juventus in recent months but the Turin club's interest in the Spaniard has now cooled and they have turned their attention to former Sampdoria manager Luigi Del Nieri.

Del Nieri stepped down at Sampdoria earlier this week just 24 hours after securing a Champions League place for the Genoa based club.

The 59-year-old is now expected to replace Alberto Zaccheroni at Juventus, whose contract expires this month.

A statement from Sampdoria read: “Sampdoria announces that in the 2010-11 campaign, they will not continue with the services of first team coach Luigi Del Neri.

“The club wants to thank the coach and his staff for the professionalism and dedication shown this season and wishes them the best of luck in their future careers.”

Rafa Benitez Pleased With Ryan Babel’s Improved Attitude

Rafa Benitez believes Ryan Babel can maintain a prominent place in Liverpool’s squad next season if he maintains his new-found focus.

Having looked at one point during the winter transfer window as if he was on the verge of joining Birmingham City in a £9m deal, the Dutch international knuckled down to feature in all bar two of the Reds’ final 23 games.

It was a huge turnaround for Babel, as he had previously clashed with Benitez over a decision to be left out of the squad that drew 1-1 with Stoke City on January 16 – the player used the social networking website, Twitter, to reveal the manager’s plan.

He was then sent home from training for showing a poor attitude shortly after that but after clear-the-air talks, Benitez decided to give Babel another chance, rather than send him to Ajax on loan.

A number of clubs in Europe are still monitoring Babel’s situation and it’s quite possible Liverpool’s resolve will be tested when the window formally opens for business but Benitez has given the impression he is not ready to hurry him away.

So long as he keeps his focus, Benitez has indicated he would be willing to provide a platform for Babel to showcase his talents and is pleased with the attitude he has shown.

“We had a meeting with him in January,” said Benitez, who brought Babel to Anfield in the summer of 2007. “I expressed my ideas and he expressed his ideas about the future.

“I was very clear that I wanted to keep him because he is a player who has the ability to make a difference in games.

“He told me that he wanted to be playing games and working hard. I then told him there was no problem because we both had the same ideas.”

Babel suggested at one point towards the end of the season that he was hugely self-critical, a trait he picked up after strict upbringing in Holland.

But Benitez – who has been linked with Inter Milan post currently occupied by Jose Mourinho – believes will gain more confidence and faith in his ability if he learns to relax a little more.

“It was good for him to get chance and good for the team,” said Benitez.

“When we signed him, we met his family and you could see they were good people, who wanted him to do well.

“Ryan has had problems but he is growing and I think at the end of the season he was much better.”