Fernando Torres 'Will Continue At Liverpool Next Season' – Agent

Fernando Torres's agent has said the striker "will continue at Liverpool next season".

There has been speculation that the player would leave Anfield this summer after a disappointing season, with many of Europe's top clubs – such as Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona – linked with making a move.

However, José Antonio Peton told Punto Radio in Spain: "For the moment I can assure fans that Fernando will continue at Liverpool next season. Everything is down to Liverpool's attitude but for the time being Fernando is happy at the club and has a good contract.

"Liverpool have not spoken to us about his future, so he is just concentrating on playing at the World Cup."

Maxi Rodriguez Scores Twice For Argentina But Goes Off Injured

Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez hit two goals last night as Argentina signed off for their trip to the World Cup Finals with a 5-0 triumph over Canada in Buenos Aires.

Rodriguez hit the first via a free-kick in the 16th minute and put his country two goals up just past the half-hour following a pass from Carlos Tevez.

Rodriguez did not play the second-half after a foul from Canada’s Josh Simpson. just before the interval left him limping with an injury to his right ankle.

The knock was later described as minor.

By that point, the home side were 3-0 up with a fine strike from Angel Di Maria. Tevez netted Argentina’s fourth just after the hour mark before Sergio Aguero rounded off the comfortable win for Diego Maradona’s team 20 minutes from time.

Wilson Move In Doubt

Danny Wilson's dream move to Liverpool has stalled - because the young Rangers defender does not meet a 'homegrown' quota system being introduced by the English Premier League.

Now the cash-strapped Ibrox club could lose out on up to £3million if the 18-year-old remains in Glasgow next season before leaving when his contract expires.

Sportsmail understands Wilson had proven particularly attractive to the Merseyside giants because they are planning for new regulations which will demand eight homegrown players in every topflight club's 25-man squad.

Liverpool initially believed it applied to footballers from across the whole of the British Isles, but their interest has now cooled after it emerged only youngsters brought through at English and Welsh clubs will qualify.

This has forced a hitch in the projected Wilson deal, which had seen Liverpool offer a £2.5m down payment, with a further £1.5m in add-ons.

While it is believed they still want to sign the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year, it will not be with the same urgency as before. Wilson has rejected all offers of an extension to his contract with Rangers.

And it's understood that, if no agreement can be struck with Liverpool at the moment, he will resolve to remain at Ibrox next season before becoming eligible to sign a pre-contract elsewhere in January.

Any club signing Wilson would then have to pay only around £650,000 in compensation under FIFA rules relating to players under the age of 24.

FA Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: 'All clubs must declare their 25-man squad at the end of August after the close of the transfer window.

'No more than 17 of those players can be over the age of 21 and not home-grown.

'The definition of homegrown is trained for three years under the age of 21 by somebody in the English and Welsh professional system. It is not in a club's interests to stockpile players. It will make buying home-grown talent more attractive.'

Rafa Benitez has already started to adjust Liverpool's staffing levels, with young Englishman Jonjo Shelvey signing from Charlton Athletic.

Fabio Aurelio To Exit Anfield After Turning Down New Contract

Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio has turned down the offer of a new pay-as-you-play deal and will leave the club next week, manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed.

The Brazilian's career at Liverpool has been littered with injuries and his final year was indicative of that.

He missed the start of the campaign after sustaining a freak knee problem while playing football with his children and a thigh problem at the end of February prematurely ended his season.

Because of his fitness record the club offered the 30 year-old a flexible deal based on the matches he played but Aurelio wanted the security of a more permanent arrangement and has chosen to end his four-year stay at Anfield.

"Fabio's contract is nearly finished and he is going to leave us," said Benitez.

"We had been trying to work something out with regards an extension but it was a pity that we couldn't.

"He has given us absolutely fantastic service. The one problem we had with Fabio was that he suffered too many injuries and it was such a pity because he has great quality."

Aurelio's absence placed additional pressure on 21 year-old left-back Emiliano Insua as there were times when Benitez wanted to rest the player but had no other back up and, as a result, the Argentinian played 44 matches before he too succumbed to injury late in the season.

LFC Eye Brazilian Forward Diego Tardelli

Liverpool are running the rule over highly-rated Brazilian forward Diego Tardelli.

Anfield scouts have watched the 25-year-old striker, who plays in his homeland league for Atletico Miniero and would be available for around £6m.

Tardelli played three times for Brazil in their World Cup qualifiers and was named in their preliminary 30-man squad for the forthcoming finals in South Africa, but failed to make coach Dunga’s final cut.

The striker was a product of Sao Paulo’s youth system and had spells on loan in Europe with Real Betis and PSV Eindhoven before spending a season at Flamengo.

Turkish side Fenerbahce and Saint-Etienne of France are among a clutch of clubs to have been linked in recent years for Tardelli.

West Ham United have also been tracking the forward, who has scored 42 goals in 58 games and was rated among Brazil’s brightest young talents when he burst on to the scene as a teenager.

Rafa Wants Former United Star

Liverpool boss is reportedly considering making a move for former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi this summer.

Having left Old Trafford back in 2007 the New Jersey born Italian international has gone from strength to strength at La Liga side Villarreal and has been named in Marcello Lippi's provisional World Cup squad.

Rafa Benitez is keen to bring in new attacking options to help carry the burden that is placed almost entirely on the shoulders of Spaniard Fernando Torres and the Anfield boss may well be able to pick up the impish 23-year-old for a fee of around £12m.

Rossi has had three consistent seasons at Villarreal where he has managed 45 goals and made himself one of the most dependable strikers in Spain. His efforts have not gone unnoticed and fellow Premier League side Manchester City are also reportedly interested in snapping up his services.

The Liverpool manager could also tempt the Spanish side with the possibility of offering expendable Albert Rieira as part of any deal.

Rafa Benitez Considering Albert Riera For Nikola Zigic Swap

Valencia striker Nikola Zigic is interested in a move to the Premier League and has garnered the interest of a number of English clubs including Liverpool.

Reds manager Rafa Benitez is keen to make an offer to los Che that could kill two birds with one stone. He is pondering a swap deal that would send out of sorts winger Albert Riera to Spain in return for los Che's towering striker, according to AS.

If such a deal were to materialise, Liverpool would be obligated to pay an additional €3-4 million in addition to Riera.

Other teams have their sights set on Zigic as well, which could play a role in the proceedings should Liverpool drag their feet. Aston Villa and Birmingham are two possible suitors for the towering Serbian as well.

Skrtel: I Must Prove Myself

Martin Skrtel is desperate to prove his fitness to earn a place in the Slovakian squad for what will be an historic World Cup for his nation.

Skrtel suffered a metatarsal injury in February, missing the climax of Liverpool's season, but is in Slovakia's provisional squad for South Africa 2010.

The defender now has two warm-up games against Cameroon and Costa Rica to demonstrate he's ready to be tested on the biggest stage in global football in what will be Slovakia's first ever World Cup finals.

He told LFC Weekly: "Those two games will be very important for me. My aim is to try to train every day to be ready for these two matches and maybe they will show me how I feel and which level I can play at.

"First I must get my fitness and then try to get my form back to the level it was at before my injury. That will help me to be ready for the World Cup."

Skrtel says there is a growing expectation among his nation's population of just over five million.

He added: "Because it is the first World Cup for Slovakia, it is a big thing for all Slovakian people. So we are all looking forward to the competition and I hope that we will show our best and produce some good results there."

Liverpool Owner Tom Hicks Files For Bankruptcy At Texas Rangers

Tom Hicks has hardly been popular amongst Liverpool FC fans, but his problems at Anfield are nothing compared to the issues facing the Texas Rangers, who have now filed for bankruptcy.

Hicks arrived at Liverpool with co-owner George Gillett in 2007 with grand plans for a new stadium to allow the club to move from Anfield, but the stadium is yet to materialise and, this season, Rafael Benitez's team has failed to secure qualification for the Uefa Champions League, casting further doubts on the club's financial viability.

Things are even more difficult for Hicks on the other side of the Atlantic where, on Monday, the Texas Rangers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with the aim of hastening the US$575 million sale of the team to a group of investors that includes former pitcher Nolan Ryan.

The deal will see the Rangers pay the US$75 million of the franchise's debt tied up in Hicks Sports Group, allowing the team to be sold by protecting it from the creditors of HSG.

"I did not want to put the baseball future of the Texas Rangers in jeopardy or uncertainty for an extended period of time," Hicks told Bloomberg. "This action is all about creating an end to the impasse in allowing this team sale to go forward."

New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez heads the list of creditors. He is owed US$24.9 million in deferred compensation six years after leaving the Rangers. Bloomberg notes: 'The next five on the list are also current or former players: Kevin Millwood ($12.9 million), Michael Young ($3.9 million), Vicente Padilla ($1.7 million), Mickey Tettleton ($1.4 million) and Mark McLemore ($970,000).'

Gerrard Paves Way For Successor

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard believes that Manchester City winger Adam Johnson has proved in training that he is worthy of a place on the plane to South Africa despite not yet playing for England at full international level.

The former Middlesbrough man has been an impressive top flight force since his £8 million move to Manchester City, fully proving his ability to take the step up from the Championship to the Premier League.

A regular under Roberto Mancini, the 22-year-old is now being tipped to fill a wide left berth for the Three Lions; a position which Liverpool and Anfield hero Gerrard has made his own under during the Capello era.

Liverpool star Gerrard remarked:

"Adam has looked fantastic in training. He is a typical left-winger; he gets good crosses into the box, and is exciting on the ball.

"We will have to wait and see what players Fabio goes with in the final 23.

"But I am sure Adam has got a fantastic chance of going to the World Cup because he is a very talented player."

Fabio Capello has just over a week before he is forced to trim his 30 man provisional squad down the requisite 23 directed by FIFA regulations.

It is believed that Johnson's performance this evening and during Sunday's final friendly against Japan will be decisive in determining his chances of making the trip to South Africa.

Joe Hart, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Gareth Barry are the other City squad members keeping their fingers crossed over the next seven days.

Rafael Benitez Shrugs Off Reports Linking Him With Coaching Role In UAE

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has refuted reports that he was about to be offered the role of national coach of the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE were apparently set to offer the Spaniard a £5 million ‘golden hello’, and a house on Dubai’s exclusive Palm Island, in addition to an annual salary of £4m to try and tempt him away from Anfield.

But Benitez insists that he has no intention of leaving Anfield after holding discussions since the end of the season with the chairman Martin Broughton and managing director Christian Purslow about the future direction of the club.

"I was very surprised to read about this story but it seems more and more as if they keep happening from somewhere," said the Reds gaffer, according to The Liverpool Echo.

"I am very happy here in Liverpool.

"I have always been happy and I want to stay here for a long time – if it is possible."

Liverpool Set For £12 Million Swoop For Micah Richards

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is set to launch a £12 million bid for Manchester City defender Micah Richards according to caughtoffside.com

The Reds' boss is looking to entice the England man away from Eastlands with the promise of regular first-team football and a chance to break back into the international set-up.

The Anfield manager is hoping for an injection of cash this summer in order to land his man, but given the precarious financial situation the Merseysiders face, he might be forced to raise the funds through sales.

Despite missing out on Champions League football, the attraction of regular football may be enough for Richards to make the move, after seeing his career slightly derailed in the past season through injury and competition for places at Eastlands.

It is speculated that the likes of Phillip Degen, Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera will be offloaded to raise the required fee for Richards.

Steven Gerrard Could Be Mourinho's Second Pick For £30M Move To Real Madrid

Steven Gerrard could find himself only Jose Mourinho’s second pick for a £30m move to Real Madrid.

The Liverpool star admitted for the first time yesterday he was contemplating leaving Anfield.

That confirmed Starsport’s exclusive on January 16 which told you Real were favourites to sign him. Gerrard’s representatives contacted Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter Milan earlier in the season to see about the prospects of a summer move.

But Mourinho – who is quitting newly-crowned Champions League kings Inter for the Bernabeu – has pinpointed Roma’s Daniele De Rossi as his No 1 target, with Gerrard only a back-up option.

De Rossi, 26, was a major force in Claudio Ranieri’s team who pushed Mourinho’s Inter to the wire in the race for the Scudetto.

Gerrard has become increasingly frustrated about the lack of success at Liverpool, with no trophies since the stunning Champions League success in 2005.

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho built his treble-winning Inter side this season around the talents of Dutchman Wesley Sniejder.

But there is little hope of him returning to Real Madrid after just one season at the San Siro and Mourinho already has former Liverpool ace Xavi Alonso in that position.

Roma yesterday insisted they have no plans to sell World Cup-winner De Rossi, who wears the No 10 shirt for his club and country.

De Rossi scored crucial goals for Italy in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

For Roma, he plays more as a defensive midfielder but for the Azzurri he is given license to get forward in the style of Gerrard, with Gennaro Gattuso in the team to hold the midfield.

Mourinho refused to confirm he was the new boss of Real Madrid after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Bernabeu.

He said he planned to meet with president Florentino Perez today. He added: “Should I become coach of Real Madrid then this would be because Real Madrid are a club with a huge dimension. The club want the same as other clubs - they want to win.

”If you want to win important things you need this spirit and the availability of money to back the team. The team must work together. “

”This is the pride I have when I look at Inter. We became a magnificent family of football players. From the groundsman to the players, even the players who did not play for one minute, we are a marvellous family.

“I’ve seen that in other clubs I’ve worked at, when we have created a family feeling and that was the most important thing we did.”

Inter Milan Join Chelsea In The Race For Javier Mascherano

Treble winners Inter Milan have joined the race to sign Liverpool defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano, according to a report in Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

Yesterday Chelsea were linked with Mascherano who has long been tipped to leave Liverpool with Barcelona reportedly interested last season.

Inter Milan are also after Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and also have also been rumoured to be interested in Rafa Benitez to replace Jose Mourinho who seems set for Real Madrid.

The midfielder made 47 appearances for Liverpool in the Premier League and European competition last season, scoring one goal and picking up 11 yellow cards. His contract is up in two years.

Fans React To ECHO Call For Hicks And Gillett To Leave Liverpool FC

Fans have bombarded the ECHO with their views following our call for Liverpool FC owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to get out of the club.

On Saturday we dedicated our front page to calling on the Americans to abandon their hopes of making a multi-million pound profit and to sell the club at a realistic price as soon as possible.

Reds fans’ concern about the amount of debt that the club has been saddled with since the duo bought Liverpool in 2007, and the absence of the promised new stadium in Stanley Park, has long since turned into anger.

The ECHO’S call for Hicks and Gillett to “get out of a wonderful, treasured football club which so many of our readers, plus millions more around the world, love and cherish so deeply” has been backed to the hilt on our messageboards.

levonboy wrote: “It takes years to build a great reputation and one act to ruin it. I hope Hicks and Gillett leave ASAP and never manage a sports team again with leveraged buyout.”

redvox wrote: “This article/comment appears to be the 'icing on the cake' of a series of stories the Echo has run this week.

“I think fans need to realise that Liverpool do indeed face the prospect of becoming another Leeds United.

“My big worry is that the people making the huge decisions which will dictate LFC's future don't actually give a stuff about LFC’s future – that presents a very obvious problem! The only way I can see us coming out of this, is with a City/Chelsea style take over. Unfortunately for us, but maybe fortunately for the game in general, they don't happen very often!”

Vic49 wrote: “Whatever the ins and outs of the matter let us find a way – as fans- – to buy our club. Even if we have to start below rock bottom. This makes Rafa look very loyal.”

Even supporters from the blue half of the city logged on to show their support.

cahill56 wrote: “Any Evertonians who have smiles on their faces with regards to the financial crisis at Liverpool should look at the bigger picture. Not only is it affecting Liverpool FC but it is also affecting the Liverpool as a city. Liverpool politicians need to bang their heads together and get the ball rolling at LFC as LFC is important for the economy of Liverpool and, likewise, Everton FC.

“Both Evertonians and Liverpudlians should reunite and defend any outside threats such as these so-called American investors. It’s in the interests of the people of Liverpool!”

Another non-Liverpool fan, mogger1, added: “Well done ECHO for speaking out, I am not a supporter but you can see they are taking the mickey.”

Chelsea Eye Raid For Liverpool Duo Yossi Benayoun & Javier Mascherano

Chelsea have made Liverpool midfielders Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun summer transfer targets, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

With Michael Ballack and Joe Cole believed to be ready to leave Stamford Bridge soon, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has made the two Reds stars something of a priority.

The Italian also apparently believes that the offer of Champions League football gives him a real edge in his pursuit of the Reds pair.

Liverpool would reportedly prefer not to sell to the Premier League champions but may have little choice if they are to boost manager Rafael Benitez's frugal transfer budget.

Mascherano has apparently shelved talks on a new deal whilst Benayoun has acknowledged Chelsea's interest.

"Ancelotti wants me for next season and now everything depends on Liverpool," he is reported as saying.

"Chelsea will have to pay some £6 million but I believe that in the end I'll be moving there."

AC Milan Agony For Scorer Amoo

Liverpool Reserves crashed out of the RUHR.2010 Cup after AC Milan scored three minutes into injury-time to salvage a 1-1 draw.

The leveller proved to be the last kick of the game following a fine solo effort from David Amoo.

Incredibly the result meant Liverpool, Milan, Schalke and Bayern Munich all finished on four points and with a goal difference of zero.

However, Schalke and Milan progress having scored more goals throughout the group stages.

Manager John McMahon said: "Milan needed a draw and that's what they played for. We dominated the game but failed to kill them off. Perhaps there was a bit of naivety.

"There are long-term positives we can take and that's what we're all about. These young lads have learnt that they need to kill games off and that they need to be a bit cleverer in certain stages of the game.

"It's really frustrating but I've spoken to people who felt we were the best team in the tournament."

The squad flies back from Germany on Monday before enjoying an end-of-season meal on Tuesday night.

England Legend Roger Hunt Criticises Rafael Benitez's Rotation Policy At Liverpool

England World Cup winner Roger Hunt has hit out at Rafael Benitez's selection tinkering, claiming the Liverpool manager has gambled with the club's future participation in the Champions League.

A desperately disappointing Premier League campaign saw the Reds finish seventh, failing to build on 2008-09's second-place finish, unable to replace Xabi Alonso at the hub of midfield and suffering with injuries to their leading lights that exposed a chronic lack of depth in the squad.

This thinness of resources made Benitez's insistence on rotation inexplicable to many, who felt Liverpool could only win consistently with their best eleven on the pitch - a suspicion perhaps confirmed by the club's dismal season.

"I have been a big fan of Benitez but I have told him that he makes too many changes," Hunt told the Sunday Times.

"There is nothing worse for a player than playing well and yet knowing that you are going to be subbed.

"Call me old-fashioned, but I believe you play your best team all the time: that is what Bill Shankly used to do.

He added: "it will be even harder now to get back into the top four, especially with teams such as Tottenham and Manchester City.

"It won’t be easy for Liverpool."

Fernando Torres And Rafael Benitez Will Not Leave Liverpool, Says Pepe Reina

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina believes club and country team-mate Fernando Torres will remain at Anfield next season.

Torres has been linked with a move away from Liverpool after the club's poor campaign, with Chelsea and Barcelona supposedly in the running for the Spain international's services.

But Reina spoke to his compatriot this week and claims Torres is committed to turning the club's fortunes around.

"I am calm about Fernando," Reina told the People. "I spoke to him about his future and he has told me that he intends to continue with us.

"Fernando suffered so many blows last season, but he is a professional and has always wanted to do well for us.

"That is what he remains - committed to this club."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has also been strongly linked with a move away from the club this summer, with Inter Milan a possible destination, but Reina is equally convinced his manager will stay put.

"I am convinced that Rafa will still be with us and that is good for us because he wants revenge in the next campaign," he said.

UAE Target Liverpool Boss Rafa Benitez

The United Arab Emirates have targeted Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, according to a report in the Mail on Sunday.

Benitez has been heavily linked with a move away from Liverpool in recent weeks with the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Madrid reportedly interested.

The UAE hope to raise their global profile and Benitez will be offered a five million pound “Golden Hello” and a salary to match his current deal at Liverpool.

Joe Bernstein adds in the Mail on Sunday that "The offer may be seriously considered by Benitez, whose relationship with the board and players at Anfield is at an all-time low after a fourth successive season without a trophy and failure to qualify for the Champions League."

The futures of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres have been the source of much transfer speculation recently.