Liverpool Sack Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez’s Anfield reign is over.

The decision was taken to sack the Liverpool manager after the club board came to the conclusion he had lost the dressing room.

Player power proved his downfall after several of the Reds’ biggest stars, including Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, made clear their loss of faith in the manager.

Some had even stated privately that they would leave if Benitez stayed.

Benitez, who is on holiday in Sardinia, was hanging on only to negotiate his payoff. He has a £16million clause in his contract that must be paid in full if he is dismissed, and the only detail left to be finalised late last night was just how much of that money he would receive.

The Spanish coach could walk straight into another job after his dismissal at Anfield, with Inter Milan keen to make him the replacement for treble-winning manager Jose Mourinho.

And Liverpool have already drawn up a short-list of possible replacements for Benitez, with the highly respected Roy Hodgson and Louis Van Gaal topping the candidates, along with Benfica manager Jorge Jesus, and - before he accepted the Italy job - Cesare Prandelli of Fiorentina.

Sammy Lee, the current assistant manager of the Reds, will step in as a caretaker in the short-term, until a replacement is announced, with the club hoping to find a successor in the next few weeks.

Benitez has presided over a disastrous season, losing 19 matches and seeing his side slip to seventh place in the table, which has caused major damage to the club’s precarious finances.

More seriously though, he lost the support of senior players at the club, with top stars like Torres, Gerrard, Carragher, Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun offering public displays of their lack of belief in the manager.

The board was left with the painful decision of choosing between Benitez and their world class players, and in the end they decided they simply couldn’t trust the manager to spend the money that would be raised by the sale of so many big names.

The five-man Liverpool board made the unanimous decision over the weekend, and they also have the backing of chairman Martin Broughton, who is thought to believe that the club can only move forward by bringing stability to the football side of the club.

Benitez has always been a highly skilled political operator, and his tenure in the final two years was punctuated by an increasingly fraught situation at Anfield, where he was fighting against his own board and his own team.

The directors have decided that situation can’t be allowed to go on any longer, and they will now move quickly to appoint a more statesmanlike manager who can work with colleagues.

The new boss WILL be given money to spend, with around £20million set aside for new players, with a guarantee, too, that any money from sales will be used solely for recruitment.

The likes of Albert Riera, Ryan Babel, Alberto Aquilani and Benayoun could all be sold to raise another £25m or so, and several fringe players will also be sacrificed, to generate a kitty that could be as much as £50m.

Talks will proceed swiftly over a replacement, with Hodgson’s calm approach sure to make him among the favourites, given the turmoil that has engulfed Liverpool in recent seasons.

Benitez has been exploring possible escape routes over the past six months, and he came close to joining Juventus at the end of the season, until the Italians got a new president who favoured a home-grown boss.

But Inter remains a strong possibility, especially given the news in the past two days that their first choice - Fabio Capello - looks likely to remain with England.

This week, the Milan club’s president Massimo Moratti confirmed he is an admirer of the Spaniard, when he said:

“Benitez is a man I’ve always considered very good, but for the moment he is engaged.”

The Reds boss still wants a pay off, and he was juggling those balls last night, as he prepared to accept a lower compensation figure to ensure he remains in the running for the Inter job.

Benitez though, has certain reservations about following Mourinho - one of his biggest enemies in football - but now that he can no longer remain with Liverpool he may feel he has no other choice but to take the poisoned chalice of following the special one.

Who Are The Favourites To Replace Rafa Benítez As Liverpool Manager?

With Rafa Benitez’s future in doubt at Liverpool, we look at the runners and riders who may replace him as Martin O’Neill, Roy Hodgson, Laurent Blanc and Alex McLeish continue to dominate the bookmakers’ thoughts.

Martin O'Neill

Current club: Aston Villa
Fair Kop: O’Neill has been successful at what ever level he has worked at, winning titles in Scotland and rebuilding Aston Villa. Hasn’t always had a lot of money either, which might be a plus for the Liverpool board.
This isn’t Anfield: Success in Scotland is one thing but O’Neill appears to have plateaued at Aston Villa and unproven at the very top of the game.
Fan’s favourite: O’Neill plays a pragmatic, direct, if exciting brand of football that may not sit well with some. But his belt and braces approach might be just the thing they crave in austere times.
Current odds: 13/8

Roy Hodgson

Current club: Fulham
Fair Kop: Hodgson’s stock has never been higher after taking ‘little’ Fulham to the Europa League final. A deep thinker on the game with bucket loads of experience, both at home and abroad.
This isn’t Anfield: While Hodgson is well regarded he falls short of the kind of box office name Liverpool fans might expect.
Fan’s favourite: Everyone loves ‘Uncle Roy’.
Current odds: 9/2

Kenny Dalglish

Current club: Liverpool
Fair Kop: Dalglish gave Liverpool their last title and is a club legend, as well as knowing the inner workings of the place better than anyone.
This isn’t Anfield: Been out of the management game for a while now and risks staining his reputation if he returns in difficult circumstances and fails.
Fan’s favourite: Yes.
Current odds: 10/1

Laurent Blanc

Current club: Available
Fair Kop: Hugely respected after taking Bordeaux to the title and quarter-finals of the Champions League in his first job in management after an illustrious playing career, including a spell in England.
This isn’t Anfield: Still callow in managerial terms and that his time in England was spent at Old Trafford goes against him.
Fan’s favourite: If they can look past the feeling he is being groomed to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at United.
Current odds: 11/1

Jorge Jesus

Current club: Benfica
Fair Kop: A measured, intelligent coach Jesus made his name at Braga before taking Benfica to the Portuguese title and back in to the Champions League in some style.
This isn’t Anfield: No experience of the Premier League might count against him.
Fan’s favourite: The Kop saw first hand the quality of his team in this year’s Europa League and can’t fail to have been impressed.
Current odds: 12/1

Alex McLeish

Current club: Birmingham City
Fair Kop: In the running for manager of the year for a short while as Birmingham City enjoyed a fantastic season in the Premier League when tipped to struggle.
This isn’t Anfield: Liverpool would be a step up and he is being backed by the Birmingham board at present and might favour that to the madhouse of Anfield.
Fan’s favourite: Again not the big name fans would crave but a solid record at Birmingham and Rangers would buy him some grace.
Current odds: 14/1

Benitez Agent Silent On Exit Talk

Rafael Benitez's agent refused to discuss reports the Spaniard is set to leave Liverpool.

Benitez experienced a dismal 2009/10 season as his team finished only seventh in the Barclays Premier League and suffered early exits from the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup.

According to several reports, Liverpool have made Benitez an offer to walk away from the club, however there has been no official confirmation.

Agent Manuel Garcia Quilon said: "We don't know anything more than what's being said.

"We're not saying anything."

Benitez, 50, signed a five-year contract in March 2009.

He joined Liverpool in 2004 after a successful spell with Valencia and led the club to Champions League victory in his first season, however the Premier League title has been elusive and Benitez's team were unable to build on a second-placed finish in the 2008/09 season.

The former Valencia manager has recently been linked with the vacancy at Inter Milan, following Jose Mourinho's move to Real Madrid.

Liverpool also refused to comment on the reports that Benitez is nearing the end of his spell at Anfield, after six years at the helm.

Several of Benitez's first-team squad have recently been linked with summer moves, including captain Steven Gerrard, Argentinian midfielder Javier Mascherano and star forward Fernando Torres.

Co-owner Tom Hicks recently said Benitez would have a "substantial" transfer budget this summer despite he and George Gillett trying to sell the club, a process which could take 18 months.

It has since been reported that the funds available to Benitez could be as little as £5million, before selling players.

Benitez had suggested he would require in excess of £50million to put the club back in contention for the Champions League places, never mind the Premier League title.

Speaking last week, Benitez rubbished reports that he has been offered the chance to become coach of the United Arab Emirates.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "I was very surprised to read about this story (being offered the UAE coaching job) but it seems more and more as if they keep happening from somewhere.

"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 were put up for sale in April, with an asking price of between £600million and £800million, and Hicks had claimed there is a large number of "interested buyers".

Parent company Kop Holdings were £351million in the red last summer with annual loan repayments of £40million.

John Aldridge: Liverpool Will Replace Rafael Benitez Within A Week

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge is sure that the the Reds' hierarchy will replace Rafael Benitez as manager within a week.

But it is not the Spaniard who should be carrying the can for the club's recent disappointments, according to the former Republic of Ireland international.

Rather, it is time that the owners accepted their share of the blame and came to a swift resolution of the ongoing and often confusing situation regarding the club's sale.

"Nothing surprises me about Liverpool any more," Aldridge told The Liverpool Echo.

"The ones who should be getting out of the club are the owners, Hicks and Gillett. They should be going before anyone else but Rafa is going first.

"It’s a bold move as it’s always a gamble to change the manager. A lot of supporters haven’t been happy with what Rafa has done this year and the way the team fell away.

"He had a lot of injuries to contend with but some of our football away from home was really poor. It went stale last season and it could be time for a change.

"I just hope it is all sorted out in the right manner. That the two parties get together amicably and agree it’s the end of the road and go their separate ways.

"The last thing we want is any more rows. We’ve already hung enough of our dirty laundry out in public."

There have been reports in recent days that a lack of cash being made available for summer transfers is one of the issues behind Benitez's likely departure.

Even if that is the case, Aldridge believes that the Reds will have no problem attracting a high-quality successor to the Spaniard.

"Liverpool is still a massive club with a massive history – we won’t struggle to attract a big name," he added.

"Okay, we don’t have a lot of money but what a challenge it is to come in at this time and try to turn it around.

"I can’t for the life of me believe they are going to let Rafa go without having someone else lined up.

"You don’t make a decision like that without knowing who you are going to get in his place. When Gerard Houllier went, Liverpool had Rafa lined up.

"Some people will say give the job to Kenny Dalglish in the short term. Of course Kenny knows his stuff but we need a permanent boss in place within a week.

"This is a crucial time for making signings and deciding who to get rid of. The new man has to sit down with the players and tell them where he sees Liverpool going.

"Of course Jose Mourinho is out after he went to Real Madrid but there are plenty of good coaches out there like Martin O’Neill, Guus Hiddink and Louis Van Gaal."

Aldridge does feel it is important that Reds fans remember the success that Benitez has brought to Anfield during his six years in charge, but now also acknowledges that it is time for a new era at the club.

"We mustn’t forget what Rafa’s done for the club and it’s been so much better than Houllier’s reign," he said.

"He’s taken us to two European Cup finals, including that amazing night in Istanbul, and has always done his best for the club.

"It’s a pity that he wasn’t backed in the transfer market as much as he should have been. If he had been backed a bit more we might have won the league title.

"Things just didn’t work out last season and we went backwards, big time.

"No-one is bigger than the club and Liverpool have to move on now. We have to put the foundations down for a new era."

Liverpool FC Star Fears Steven Gerrard Will Quit Club

Jose Reina hopes Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard will not be tempted by Real Madrid and will instead see out his career at Anfield.

Gerrard has long been linked with a move to the Spanish giants and speculation has increased since Jose Mourinho took over the reigns as the former Chelsea manager is a long-time admirer of the Liverpool captain.

The England midfielder has progressed through the ranks at Anfield but is thought to be increasingly disgruntled with his team's lack of success.

However, Reina has begged him not to abandon Anfield for the Bernabeu.

"I hope Gerrard doesn't bring anything to Real Madrid and that he stays a long time at Liverpool, that he is with us for the rest of his career." said the Spain goalkeeper.

"I understand that something will happen, that Real Madrid's interest in Gerrard will become manifest because Mourinho knows him very well and he is a footballer who can play in any team in the world.

"He is part of the elite, among the 10 best in the world because he is a very complete footballer.

"Let's hope they don't take him away."

Inter Not Behind Benitez Exit Talk

Inter have reacted to speculation that they had any role to play in Liverpool's decision to offer Rafael Benitez a severance package.

Last night it emerged that the Reds, perhaps mindful of not being able to keep the promises they made to Benitez, offered him £3m just to walk.

Inter have been linked with Benitez over the last week as they look for a high profile tactician capable of replacing Jose Mourinho who formally joined Real Madrid on Monday.

When asked for Inter's reaction to the news, a source from inside the club told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “It's clear that we are not behind this.

“It's an internal matter for Liverpool. But it is a fact. We have no hurry [to find a replacement]. We haven't gone looking for anyone and we don't intend to fuel disputes to free Coaches who are actually contracted.

“If Benitez, once out of contract, were to show interest in Inter's bench, then he would enter among the candidates, knowing that he wouldn't be the only one.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport understands that Inter would use Benitez's reported negotiations with Juventus in the spring as a reference point for any deal, meaning he'd be offered a four-year deal worth €3.5m a season.

Inter would also have few problems integrating his staff, as the team's Argentines reportedly get on well with Benitez's assistant Mauricio Pellegrino.

Furious Liverpool Fans Blame Disrespectful Tom Hicks And George Gillett For Rafael Benitez Exit

Liverpool fans are holding Tom Hicks and George Gillett responsible for forcing Rafael Benitez to leave the club, Goal.com UK can reveal.

Supporters’ union Spirit of Shankly (SoS) said the American owners had made Benitez’s position “untenable” and urged them to sell the club immediately.

It emerged on Wednesday night that the Spaniard is in pay-off negotiations with the club after agreeing to end his six-year reign at Anfield.

“This situation shows clearly the problems created by Tom Hicks and George Gillett at our club,” SoS spokesman James McKenna told Goal.com UK.

“The position of manager has been continually undermined by those in the boardroom, and now the manager’s position is made untenable by the money men at the club.

“For the position of [Liverpool] manager, a position with such prestige in world football, to be treated in such a way, shows the lack of respect that those in the boardroom have for LFC and its history, and shows just how much they never have and never will understand the Liverpool way.

"They need to go now, before we have no club left.”

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

Supporters have said they are considering a boycott of season tickets in the summer in protest at Hicks and Gillett’s ownership unless the pair sell up.

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

Liverpool Analysis: Rafael Benitez's True Transfer Spending

So Rafael Benitez is set to walk, or be pushed, through the Shankly Gates as it looks as though his Liverpool reign has come to an end.

Despite a European Cup success and an FA Cup success, both won since Arsene Wenger last delivered a trophy to Arsenal's trophy cabinet, the 50-year-old Spaniard has faced a torrent of inexplicable pressure from the media, ex-players and other 'expert' commentators on his contribution to the Merseyside giants.

Zonal marking and wasteful expenditure in the transfer market are two of the sticks with which Benitez was regularly beaten. But how much of it is genuine criticism and not a load of hot air?

The denunciation of zonal marking reminds me of a time when English pundits laughed at and mocked continental goalkeepers for opting to punch clearances instead of claiming the ball in a commanding strong-arm fashion. Or the days when football formations were 4-4-2 v 4-4-2. Nowadays, punching clearances is the norm. 4-4-2 is a standard long since deviated from. Times change.

New ideas, so wrong at first, are slowly, although reluctantly embraced - the zonal marking system will be too, eventually. Whether you are pro or anti-zonal marking, it didn't stop Liverpool winning those two trophies, or finishing second in 2008-09. So it obviously isn't the flawed system the ignorant proclaim it to be. It does work.
Let's then explore the transfers. Over 150 between comings and goings in five years does seem a large number. Compared to other clubs? Manchester United, the benchmark in English football, released or sold upwards of 75 players during the same period so it appears normal.

Excluding those players signed by Gerard Houllier, Rafael Benitez's transfer record is far more impressive than we have been led to believe by the agenda-driven onslaught of misguided criticism levelled at the Spaniard.

Examining the figures closely actually shows that the net cost of the players bought by Benitez and later sold is virtually non-existent, in fact there is possibly even a small profit when you take into account the small army of free transfers the former Valencia man has acquired.

No doubt Robbie Keane was a failed transfer. Benitez's fault? We assumed so at the time but we have since learned that Keane wasn't a player the Spaniard wanted - not without Gareth Barry in the mix at least.

Andrea Dossena was an undeniable flop, with one momentary exception at Old Trafford, and a sizeable financial loss. Jermaine Pennant too, the heaviest in fact. Fernando Morientes, yes, another failure in the transfer market on the part of Benitez. So in terms of players he bought that have since departed, three absolute disasters in six years, with a total loss of £14.5 million can be attributed to Rafael Benitez.

In that time, Manchester United brought the likes of Owen Hargreaves, Anderson, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov into their ranks, with a total value of in excess of £75 million. Perhaps not deemed complete failures yet but it's proof that even the best make transfer blunders. Juan Sebastien Veron, Louis Saha and Eric Djemba-Djemba are further examples of that from days gone by.

Yet at United, such ill-fated heavy spending is masked by the success of a well-established team built on the foundation of the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville. Benitez's Liverpool simply didn't inherit that base of proven winners. Yet to those proven winners, Sir Alex Ferguson was allowed to add £15 million-plus investments like Rio Ferdinand, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Carrick, Hargreaves, Berbatov, Antonio Valencia. Seven in total, and three costing well in excess of what Liverpool's most expensive player Fernando Torres cost. Liverpool have only ever bought four players worth more than £15 million and one of them left within a matter of months.

In fact if you take out Keane, and Aquilani, who was merely a lower-cost replacement signing and not a major one-off expenditure, Glen Johnson has been Benitez's only big money extravagancy outside of Torres.

Of the players he has purchased that remain at Anfield, I have taken the liberty to apply a conservative current value. Again the dozens of free transfers yet to filter through the Liverpool system are omitted as we don't know the net value/loss that they bring to the club. The figure as detailed below shows that there is a conservative decrease of a little over £5 million in the current value of the players Benitez brought in. That is nothing to do with the likes of Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, who nobody can deny, have improved significantly during the Benitez era.

Player Net Transfer Cost:

Fernando Torres
£20 m (worth £30m)

Alberto Aquilani
£20 m (worth £13m)

Robbie Keane
£7 m loss

Glen Johnson
£18 m (worth £12m)

Ryan Babel
£11.5 m (worth £8m)

Xabi Alonso
£19.5 m profit

Dirk Kuyt
£9 m (worth £8m)

Albert Riera
£8 m (worth £2m)

Peter Crouch
£2 m profit

Andrea Dossena
£4.5 m loss

Lucas Leiva
£6 m (net worth £5m)

Jermaine Pennant
£6.7 m loss

Martin Skrtel
£6.5 m (worth £6.5m)

Pepe Reina
£6 million (worth £12m)

Luis Garcia
£2 m loss

Craig Bellamy
£1.5 m profit

Daniel Agger
£5.8 m (worth £8m)

Momo Sissoko
£3 m profit

Fernando Morientes
£3.3 m loss

Yossi Benayoun
£5 m (worth £7m)

Diego Cavilieri
£4 m (worth £3m)

Sebastien Leto
£2.5 m profit

Mark Gonzalez
£3.5 m profit

Gabriel Paletta
Exchanged for Insua (worth £2m)

Net Profit/Loss
£8 m Profit

Net Increase/Decrease (teams value)
£5.3 m Decrease

There is a continued list of players that Liverpool have signed during Benitez's reign that have cost downwards of £1 million that have not made a substantial profit or loss and would not sway the argument in either direction.

On the basis of the transfer activity of the last few years, the fact that Liverpool have maintained some level of competitiveness with the top three at all is in itself an achievement. Benitez has done marvellous work. Sure he's not a transfer whizz like his Arsenal counterpart, but nobody is.

But by the same token he didn't join a club backed by a billionaire owner and add £70 million worth of talent to a squad on the verge of competing for the league title as Jose Mourinho did at Chelsea.

Instead, with restricted funds and without the budget for one-off big money purchases, he has done all he can, all any honest evaluation could genuinely expect - he's taken small steps forward, slowly building an ever-improving side. Sure 2009-10 was a step in the wrong direction, but to make Rafael Benitez the scapegoat for the turmoil at Anfield is entirely wrong.

If, as expected, he moves on, Benitez will undoubtedly continue to excel, more so if he gets the backing the likes of Ferguson, Wenger, Benitez and Guardiola enjoy. He's done it in Spain, in England and perhaps next in Italy. What happens next to the wounded, debt-laden Liverpool Football Club he will leave behind is a scary thought.

Seven Friendlies Announced

A John McMahon managed Liverpool XI have announced the following seven pre-season friendly matches.

The Reds XI start their preparations for 2010-11 with a trip to Wrexham on Wednesday, July 21 at 7.45pm.

Liverpool will then face Oldham Athletic in the final of the Lancashire Senior Cup, at the Lancashire County FA Ground in Leyland, on Saturday, July 24 at 3pm. Please note if the scores are level at the end of 90 minutes then no extra-time will be played. Instead the tie will be decided via a penalty shoot-out.

The Reds XI travel south for a friendly with Luton Town at the Kenilworth Stadium, Kenilworth Road, on Tuesday, July 27 at 7.45pm.

Local pride will be at stake when McMahon's side faces Skelmersdale United in the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup at the Ashley Travel Stadium in Skelmersdale, on Saturday, July 31 at 3pm. Please note extra-time will be played if the scores are level, followed by a penalty shoot-out if needed.

A Liverpool XI takes on Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park on Tuesday, August 3, at 7pm.

A two-game Irish tour completes the schedule. A Liverpool XI will face Galway United at Terryland Park, on Monday, August 9 at 7.30pm.

The squad will complete their schedule in Northern Ireland when they face Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park, Dungannon, on Thursday, August 12 at 7.45pm.

Rafael Benitez Left Fuming As Liverpool Board Tell Him There's No Transfer Cash This Summer

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez would appear to be on a collision course with the Anfield hierarchy after being told that there will be no money for him to spend in the transfer market this summer, according to a report from The Daily Mirror.

Benitez apparently met Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow in secret last week and was left angered by the news.

The club's co-owner Tom Hicks last week publicly stated that there would be "significant investment" this summer.

Benitez is seeking assurances that any money he raises from player sales will be pumped straight back into recruitment, but it would appear that he has been left frustrated. Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel and Albert Riera are set to be sold this summer.

The Spaniard is planning a major overhaul of his squad, and apparently has plans in place should the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard leave, something he apparently believes is likely should he remain in charge.

Benitez's own 'escape routes' from Liverpool are becoming limited should he decide he wants to leave though. Juventus, who had apparently pursued him for six months, recently decided to appoint Luigi Del Neri.

Real Madrid, also mooted as a possible destination, have of course appointed Jose Mourinho. Inter apparently remain interested, but their search for a successor for Mourinho has seen them turn to other targets recently.

England manager Fabio Capello has reportedly been on their hit-list, and has apparently now been joined by Fulham boss Roy Hodgson.

Rafael Benitez Set For Third Round Of Talks Regarding His Liverpool Future

Rafael Benitez will meet Liverpool officials for the third time this week for discussions about his future at the club, according to a report from The Sun.

The Spaniard is seeking a transfer kitty of £15 million for the summer, according to the report, and will meet with club representatives again to see if any progress can be made.

Italian giants Inter are apparently interested in taking Benitez to the San Siro as coach, but the Reds' gaffer is discouraged by the prospect of having to follow Jose Mourinho, recently appointed as Real Madrid coach, who has just won the Treble with the Nerazzurri.

While other reports suggest that Benitez has been left fuming by the Liverpool hierarchy's refusal to guarantee him what he sees as essential funds to completely overhaul his team, The Sun also claims that Benitez could yet be tempted to join Inter if he feels that the Reds are destined for a repeat of last season's disappointments.

Ever Banega: Rafa Closing In On £8.5M Argentine Playmaker For Reds

According to reports in both the Spanish and Argentine press, Liverpool are set to sign Valencia’s talented young midfielder Ever Banega for a fee of £8.5m as Rafa Benitez begins his rebuilding process at Anfield. The young Argentinean has been a long-term target of Benitez but also David Moyes who attempted to sign the 21-year-old on loan last summer. However, it would seem that Liverpool rather than Everton have won the race for his signature.

Last summer Everton attended a home office meeting in London to push through the necessary paperwork to seal a late transfer window move but the deal could not be agreed. The Toffees loss could be Liverpool’s gain as he could be a very exciting signing for the club and fill the role that was vacated by Xabi Alonso’s exit last summer.

The 21-year-old joined Valencia in January 2008 but after just 47 League appearances for the club (40 starts) the Spanish side are likely to offload the youngster. Valencia’s financial problems are well documented but they are set to take a loss on a player signed for £14m. Ironically, Banega has had his best season with the club after making 35 league appearances (33 starts which is a major breakthrough considering in his first season he only started seven league matches and then was loaned out to Atletico Madrid. However, despite a tough start to his time in Europe, Banega has shown enough talent to impress Rafa Benitez who is keen to bring him to Liverpool to join fellow Argentines Javier Mascherano, Maxi Rodriguez and Emiliano Insua.

The youngster has endured a difficult time since joining the Spanish giants. He was signed by Ronald Koeman who was soon sacked and then was also embroiled in a webcam scandal in Argentina similar to that of former Eastenders star Leslie Grantham. Not the best way to start your career at a new club especially one that was severely and surprisingly struggling in the league. Despite a poor 2007/08 season by their standards, Valencia did end up winning the Copa Del Rey. However, despite featuring in 5 cup matches including both legs of the semi against Barca, Banega did not feature in the final.

Last season Banega was loaned out to Atletico Madrid when he made 24 league appearances but only started 5 of those games while scoring just one goal. The player had suggested he wished to remain with the Madrid club but Atletico did not make a permanent move.

Banega told So Foot that he “wants to continue at Atletico”, but knows that lack of communications suggests the feeling is not mutual.

“I am young but not naive. If they have not spoken with me then it is bad. In any case, I will not return to Valencia, even though I still have a contract with them,” he said. However, despite his comments and Everton’s interest he did return. Now his time in Spain looks to be coming to an end with Liverpool in negotiations.

Despite struggling in Spain, the player that turns 22 in June has won 3 senior caps for his country against Guatemala, Mexico and USA. He was also part of the Argentine side that won the U20 World Cup in Canada in 2007 and the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. He played alongside the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero in both of those tournaments. He also represented his nation at the Toulon Tournament where Argentina finished 3rd. Banega is a skilful deep lying playmaker who is mobile and likes to dictate the tempo of his side which is something that Liverpool have lacked following Alonso’s sale.

The young star was born in Rosario, Santa Fe and began his career with Boca Juniors where he came through the youth ranks. He replaced Real Madrid star Fernando Gago in the Boca Midfield when the former star moved to Real Madrid and after just 28 League appearances for the club Valencia stepped in with a big money bid. His last game for the Buenos Aires club was in the World Club Championship 4-2 final defeat to AC Milan.

Banega is a central midfielder very much in the Michael Carrick mould rather than Roy Keane’s. His main attributes are his excellent passing ability, tactical discipline and ability to read the game. The Argentine is not afraid to tackle as 25 bookings and 4 red cards in 99 career League games perfectly illustrates and could turn out to be a key signing for Liverpool who are looking to bounce back from a poor season with a new-look side next season. Rafa Benitez has already declared he needs at least five or six new signings, Ever Banega looks set to be one of the first new arrivals at Anfield as the Reds rebuild.

Fulham Interested In Signing Fabio Aurelio From Liverpool

Fulham are believed to be interested in procuring the services of Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio on a Bosman transfer.

The Reds had offered the full-back a pay-as-you-play deal owing to his injury-prone nature. But having rejected the offer, the Brazilian will be leaving Anfield - as confirmed recently by manager Rafael Benitez.

The 30-year-old was believed to be headed in the direction of a lucrative deal with Greek heavyweights Olympiakos, but The Daily Mail reports that the player remains keen to continue plying his trade in England.

The London-based club is consequently believed to be in talks over a potential deal that could see the left-footed player swap Anfield for Craven Cottage.

It has been speculated that if the move reaches fruition, it would pave the way for Paul Konchesky to transfer to Birmingham City.

Real Madrid Move For Liverpool Star Steven Gerrard

Real Madrid have set their focus on signing Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, according to news daily Marca.

New Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is a known admirer of the England international's qualities, having tried to sign him during his time at the Chelsea helm.

The self-proclaimed Special One is scouring the market for players to add to his side as he looks to guide the Merengues to their first Champions League trophy since 2002.

Marca indicates that manager Rafael Benitez's stay at Anfield could induce Gerrard's departure from the Reds, whom he has represented his entire career.

The Spanish news daily also claims that Liverpool, who finished seventh in the Premier League, are in serious need of cash to buy new players in the summer.

Cooper - Wilson Would Suit Reds

Liverpool youngster Alex Cooper is hoping his fellow Scot Danny Wilson will be joining him at Anfield.

The Reds were once renowned for the number of Scottish stars on their books, with the likes of Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness firm Kop idols.

However, Cooper is currently the only man from north of the border within the Liverpool ranks, having left Ross County for Merseyside in 2007.

That situation could change this summer, though, with Rafa Benitez reported to be keen on Rangers full-back Wilson.

Cooper believes the Gers ace would love life in England, even if there is added competition for places, and has called on the 18-year-old to make a move if the opportunity arises.

"I've been playing in the reserves at Liverpool for the past four months and the majority of that team are internationals," Cooper told the Daily Record.

"There are only three or four British boys in the squad and the rest are European and South American players - from countries such as France, Iceland and Argentina.

"It's a great experience to play alongside them, you're mixing it with good players all the time.

"I'm certain if Danny came down he'd enjoy himself.

"I first heard about Danny coming here when one of my friends told me Liverpool were in for him. I played with him for Scotland's U17 side a few years ago and always thought he was a good player.

"I'm not surprised Liverpool are interested in him. All I would say to him is, it's great down here and the standard of player is very high.

"The facilities and the academy at Liverpool are brilliant. It's huge and I've yet to see anything better than we've got. The Melwood training ground is second to none.

"All the young players come from different places around the world but I think that has actually brought us all together. We have a great team spirit in the camp.

"I haven't spoken to Danny recently but I rate him very highly and think he'd do very well at Liverpool. It won't surprise me if he comes and starts challenging for a place in the first team.

"However, there are a lot of top-quality youngsters around so it won't be easy for him.

"If I was to speak to him and he was undecided, I'd definitely tell him to go for it.

"I know he's achieved a lot at Rangers this season but I'm thoroughly enjoying my time here."

Steven Gerrard Ready To Adapt His Role For England’s World Cup Plans

Steven Gerrard is ready to become England’s Mr. Versatile – as Fabio Capello confirmed Jamie Carragher’s incredible international return.

Both Gerrard and Carragher, along with Liverpool team-mate Glen Johnson, have been included in England’s 23-man squad that will fly to South Africa ahead of the forthcoming World Cup finals.

Carragher was persuaded to end a self-imposed three-year international exile by Capello after a raft of injuries to England’s defence, a decision that has now been justified by his inclusion.

As vice-captain, Gerrard was a certainty for the squad but not so definite is his role in the team during the finals.

Gerrard has been employed on the left wing and as a second striker by Capello, and spent much of his playing time in the recent friendly victories against Japan and Mexico in central midfield.

And while happier in the latter position, the Liverpool skipper believes his game is benefiting from his varying roles.

“Everyone knows I always enjoy it when I play in the middle,” said Gerrard. “But I’ve always said that if I make it to the final squad, then I’m aware the manager is going to want me to play in different roles and I’m happy and ready for that.

“Maybe earlier on in my career I’d have sulked a bit if I was asked to play in a few different positions. But I think now I have the maturity and experience to know what is best for the team, and I actually quite like playing in different positions.

“It helps me develop as a player and you learn more about yourself and opponents when you can see the game from different perspectives. But as I say, I cannot complain if I am on the field playing for my country.”

All told, there will be 12 Liverpool players representing their countries at the forthcoming World Cup, the most in the club’s history.

Hurst: Gerrard Should Partner Wayne Rooney

Sir Geoff Hurst believes England could have the most lethal strike partnership at the World Cup should Fabio Capello decide to pair Wayne Rooney with Steven Gerrard in attack in South Africa.

Having decided on his final squad yesterday, manager Capello now has 10 days to decide on his starting XI before England take on the USA in Phokeng on June 12.

For the majority of his time in charge, the Italian has chosen to adopt a 4-4-2 formation with Rooney being partnered by a targetman usually in the shape of either Emile Heskey or Peter Crouch.

Capello has tinkered with his formation at times though by choosing to employ a 4-5-1 formation with an attacking midfielder positioned just behind Manchester United striker Rooney.

Gerrard is familiar with that role having played there all season supporting the Reds talisman Fernando Torres, making him an ideal candidate for the role at international level according to 1966 World Cup hero Hurst.

"I am convinced that 4-5-1 is the formation he should play," he said.

"I think that our best combination up front to compete with the best would be Rooney and Gerrard - they would arguably be the best partnership in world football.

"Wayne has played well on his own up front. If you had asked me two years ago then I would've told you he wouldn't be able to do it. He has had a magnificent season though and for a lot of the games he has played up front alone in that system.

"I think Steven Gerrard's best position is where he plays for Liverpool - just off Fernando Torres.

"He and Wayne already have a tremendous working relationship. I've seen that when they play for England. They haven't played too many games up front together but when they have there have been instances where they have shown a good understanding and together I think they can be a very dangerous pairing, certainly towards the latter part of the tournament."

Fears about Rooney's participation in the tournament were raised when the Manchester United striker picked up ankle and groin injuries towards the end of the Barclays Premier League season.

United's top scorer has also struggled with his form for England recently, failing to find the net in his last six internationals.

That is not a worry to Hurst, however, who believes that the 24 year old can end the tournament as top scorer if he stays fit and gets the support he needs from the rest of the team.

"I'm not worried about his form, not at all," said Hurst.

"Overall he has been fine. He is capable of scoring goals. A good player doesn't lose his form overnight.

"He's up there with the best, then and now. He will perform when it matters and I think in the bigger games we will see what he is capable of producing.

"The last few games have been friendlies and it's hard to get yourself up for these matches. If he stays fit he will be successful.

"He can be top goalscorer if England perform well then he is quite capable of having a run, it depends on the team.

"The strikers get the benefits of the football that the team is playing and the chances that they create. If we do that then he will knock in his fair percentage. I don't know what odds he is but you wouldn't back against him."

Hurst believes that this summer's tournament will be the last shot at World Cup glory for some members of the England squad.

He said: "This is the last chance that England will have to win it for a while because you have key players in there who could be playing their last World Cup - players like John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and maybe Ashley Cole. They will be hard to replace.

"I'm optimistic though. I think that had the team been managed better they could have won it last time.

We have a real chance of making at least the semi-finals."

Stevie Eyes Five More Years

Steven Gerrard hopes the forthcoming World Cup will not be his last as he eyes five more years of top-level football.

The midfielder turned 30 on Sunday but has no plans to hang up his boots any time soon.

However, with England's so-called Golden Generation reaching its peak, Gerrard accepts South Africa may be his best chance to claim football's greatest prize.

"If I want to win a World Cup, I'm going to have to do it soon," said our No.8.

"But I'm in good shape and I've still got five years to fight for the top prizes in football. I don't know if this will be my last World Cup but I want to give it everything.

"We've (England's current crop of players) been together for a long time, so I don't think there are any excuses for us any more. It's time to deliver. The team is winning and confidence is high, but we still have some improving to do if we want to go all the way."

Gerrard was one of three players to miss in a quarter-final penalty shoot-out loss to Portugal back in 2006 - a rare low point in his glittering career.

The Liverpool man is keen to put things right should penalties come into play this summer.

"Of course I'd take one," he said. "Missing a penalty in the quarter-final in 2006 was the loneliest place in the world, and I want to put that right.

"It's bad enough losing, but to feel responsible for a loss is the worst kind of failure."

Liverpool Coach Hails Pepe Reina Among The Top Five Goalkeepers In The World

Liverpool goalkeepr Pepe Reina is one of the top five custodians in the sport, according to the coach who works with him every day.

Reina, 27, has developed into a world-class shot stopper at the club since joining from Spanish side Villarreal in 2006 and inked a six-year contract extension this season.

Although he is second choice behind Real Madrid's Iker Casillas at international level, this has not stopped Reds coach Xavi Valero from hailing his work.

Speaking to LFC Weekly, Valero said: "All of the top sides in Europe have a top goalkeeper who they can build a side around.

"At the moment there are only four or five world-class 'keepers in the game and we have one of them in Pepe. His new contract gives us stability for the immediate and long-term future.

"Pepe is at an age now where he feels he can control a game both technically and emotionally and be reliable for the team throughout 50-55 games a season.

"It is really hard for a 'keeper to remain focused in a game because sometimes they may only touch the ball five to 10 times in a match. So they must remain focused, possibly more than any other player on the pitch.

"You have to be intelligent to be a top 'keeper now. It is important to be clever and understand the game properly. It is ideal for a goalkeeper to read the game and be able to foresee what is going to happen in front of them so their reactions become automatic.

"When you have a goalkeeper who can control a game, only then do you have a goalkeeper who you can rely on. Pepe is that goalkeeper."

Inter Make Offer For Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez To Succeed Jose Mourinho

Inter made their first offer to try and prise Rafael Benitez away from Liverpool at the weekend, according to a report from The Sun.

The Nerazzurri are seeking a successor to Jose Mourinho, who was introduced to the press as the new Real Madrid coach on Monday evening.

The club has been heavily linked with a move for England boss Fabio Capello once the World Cup is over.

However, The Sun intimates that that ploy has been little more than a smokescreen to distract observers from the real object of their pursuit.

The Italians apparently fear though that Benitez will still turn down the chance to coach at the San Siro, and double his £4.5 million a year Anfield salary, because the pressure of succeeding a highly successful coach like Mourinho is just too great and will make the job too difficult.