Jovanovic Snubbed Real To Head To Reds

Liverpool new boy Milan Jovanovic has revealed that he turned down an offer from Real Madrid in favour of making the move to England this summer.

The 29-year-old Serbia international striker chose to join the Reds from Belgian outfit Standard Liege, having feared that he would get lost among a star-studded Real squad.

Jovanovic told reporters: "I think 99 per cent of people I spoke to told me they did not understand why I said no to Real.

"But maybe I am special. I thought if I went it would be as an ordinary player, but that, if I stayed, I would be where I felt good, where I was a star in Belgium.

"It is only a small league, but Standard Liege won two titles and two Super Cups while I was there. So I was very happy.

"Real offered me just a one-year deal with an option for two years. I said four, they said no and so I turned them down. Maybe they are the biggest club in the world, but I always knew that other big clubs would come.

"I will never go somewhere where I only play a small part. Why? It is better to be happy somewhere. Now I only want to look forward and play for Liverpool. "

Roy Riled By Young Rumours

Roy Hodgson has dodged questions regarding reports that Liverpool has made a bid to sign Aston Villa full-back Luke Young.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill earlier confirmed that he has received an offer for the former England international, but he has not revealed the name of the club.

Speculation has suggested that Hodgson has tendered £2.75million for Young, a right-back who can play on the left, as he looks for a replacement to Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua.

The Liverpool boss was therefore quizzed on the topic ahead of a Europa League qualifier against FK Rabotnicki, but he refused to confirm or deny the rumours.

Hodgson, who appeared agitated when the subject switched away from Thursday's match, said of Young and conjecture that winger Maxi Rodriguez could be poised to leave: "They are not playing."

Hodgson was also unhappy when asked about the truth of reports that Insua's proposed move to Fiorentina had hit a snag.

"No information to be given about that," he said.

When another question was asked about the difficulties of trying to sign English players, to comply with new Premier League squad rules, in the current market, Hodgson decided to make a firm point.

He said: "We're changing the subject. I don't think it's right in a room full of Macedonian journalists to be talking about things like homegrown rules and English players.

"I think we should be talking about the game, because that is what interests people.

"The subjects you are bringing up now are subjects for a future press conference.

"It is quite important in these last seven minutes that the questions I try to answer, and I gladly will for the Macedonians, will be about the football match and not things like systems of play and future transfer targets or the long-term future of English football."

Young's Liverpool Move In Doubt Over Villa Pay-Off

Luke Young has risked the wrath of Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill by stalling on a move to Liverpool as he wants a pay-off.

Liverpool has agreed a fee of £2.5million with Villa for the unsettled versatile defender, who earns currently around £40,000-a-week.

But Young is insisting on a 'golden goodbye' from Villa Park before leaving as he would have to take a drop in wages at Liverpool.

Right-back Young, 31, joined Villa in August 2008 from Middlesbrough on a bumper contract.

And his tough stance means his relationship with O'Neill is set to plummet to a new all-time low.

Young has been unhappy for months after being played left-back before losing his right-back berth to central defender Carlos Cuellar.

And O'Neill now needs to generate funds for transfers after being ordered to sell-to-buy this summer.

O'Neill has been told to cut the club's annual £70m wage bill before owner Randy Lerner sanctions any new additions.

And the Villa boss has warned Young he may not be included in their official 25-man Premier League squad if he rejects the chance to go.

"We will see how that develops," said O'Neill, who has omitted Young from Villa's squad for this weekend's Guadiana Cup in Portugal.

"He is having a think about it. If he chooses to go that's it, if he chooses to stay then he needs to start playing because with the new rules I have to name a 25-man squad for the Premier League."

Liverpool Face Battle To Keep Daniel Pacheco As Striker Mulls Real Sociedad Approach

Daniel Pacheco has excited Liverpool fans with his performances for Spain at the Under 19 European Championship.

But the forward admits he can see little chance of breaking through at Anfield and is tempted by a move to Real Sociedad.

The Basque club is keen to strike a deal for the 19-year-old and Pacheco revealed he had been taking guidance from former Liverpool and Sociedad midfielder Xabi Alonso.

'Of course, playing for Real (Sociedad) appeals to me, without doubt,' he told El Mundo Deportivo. 'I have heard good things about the club, the city and the people, and if things move in that direction, I will be happy to play there.'

Alonso, now a key part of the Real Madrid midfield, played for five years at Sociedad before joining Liverpool in 2004.

'He (Xabi) has been helping and advising me,' said Pacheco. 'I've been told good things about the coach. They say he bets on youngsters who have character, who like to play.

'I've been told about Zubieta (the training ground), the way they work and the humilty of the club. Everything I hear is good.'

It is unclear whether Liverpool will be prepared to let go of a young talent who has helped Spain's Under 19s to the Euro final in France, but Pacheco fears for his chances at Liverpool after so far making just seven appearances in three years since being signed from Barcelona.

'I don't know much about the negotiations,' he said. 'I'd like to play in La Liga. Above all I want game time or to fight for game time.

'In Liverpool I won't get this opportunity and I would love to have it. Right now the club is signing people and I don't think I will have opportunities. At 19 years old the most important thing is to continue progressing.'

Liverpool Plot Shock Move For Aston Villa's Stiliyan Petrov

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson wants Aston Villa midfield general Stiliyan Petrov as the shock replacement for transfer-seeking Javier Mascherano.

Hodgson admires the Bulgarian star's style and is ready to pay around £7 million for him as he looks to cash in on Argentinian Mascherano by selling him to Inter Milan coach Rafa Benitez.

The Kop are looking to land both Petrov and right back Luke Young in a surprise double raid as they try to bring in seasons professionals for a demanding campaign.

Petrov, 30, is one of the Premier League's most respect operators and a key man for Martin O'Neill who brought him to Villa from Celtic where he was also a legend.

The Bulgarian star is aware of the Liverpool interest and could be keen on a move to Anfield - although Villa are desperate to keep their squad together despite so many being wanted men.

Hodgson wants a proven midfield schemer to play an anchor role in the Liverpool side. He expects Mascherano to move on, which would leave just Brazilian Lucas Leiva for that position - with Xabi Alonso never properly replaced.

Petrov may not seem the most charismatic capture, but he is in the right mould for Hodgson who plans to put his own well-drilled imprint on the Anfield side this season and beyond.

Liverpool Now Making Enquiries For Two Tottenham Players

On the heels of the news recently here at The Tavern that Roy Hodgson’s search for a left back had led to him looking at Tottenham’s Benoit Assou Ekotto, it’s now emerging that speculation by The Times the other week wasn’t too shabby at all.

The new Liverpool manager has only had it confirmed in the last few days that Fernando Torres was committing. But either way, he has made an approach to Tottenham to see what their plans are with Peter Crouch.

With Tottenham’s pretty public courting of a new striker, Peter Crouch looks set to slide further down the pecking order at White Hart Lane. Defoe can seemingly do no wrong and whoever Spurs ship in this season must surely be given guarantees that he’ll start.

Crouch left Liverpool to get first team action at Portsmouth. Redknapp is a Crouch fan and one who seems to have little faith in any of his strikers other than Defoe. But the real question is how many strikers do Tottenham need on the payroll?

Liverpool under Hodgson could well play 442. How the Anfield faithful respond to this is pretty straightforward, if it works, they’ll back it. Whatever Roy’s plans are, they certainly appear to have passed muster amongst Gerrard, Cole and Torres.

Liverpool Interest Confirmed Despite Facebook Fiasco

According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid have received an enquiry from Liverpool in regards to their winger Royston Drenthe.

Earlier in the week a Facebook account purporting to be the 23-year-old Dutchman claimed he had signed for the Premier League side only for it to be exposed as a bogus account.

Although the report was later rubbished, Spanish daily AS claim Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has indeed made tentative enquiries for the ex-Holland Under-21 international and with Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho undecided about the winger’s future, a deal remains a distinct possibility.

Liverpool is believed to be looking for a left-sided fullback, following the departure of Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua.

Drenthe joined Real Madrid in 2007 on the back of his superb performances during the Under-21 European Championships, but his career in La Liga has stalled somewhat and reports in Spain suggest he may be line for a move to the Premier League.

New York-based Liverpool Fans Join Calls For American Owners To Walk Away

Liverpool’s New York Supporters Club have joined the calls for Tom Hicks and George Gillett to sell the club immediately.

LFCNY, which is the oldest and biggest fans club in North America, is joining forces with Spirit of Shankly to crank up the pressure on the Reds’ owners.

In a statement they labelled Hicks and Gillett as "financial parasites" and urged them to "get out of our club".

It read: "They are nothing more than financial parasites who are using the club we have known and loved all our lives for nothing more than increasing their bank balances.

"They care not for our 18 League Championships; they care not for our 5 European Cups; they care not for our 3 UEFA Cups; they care not for our 7 FA Cups; they care not for our 7 League Cups; they care not for our 3 European Super Cups.

"They care not for the Liverpool way, for the fans, for the history, for the memories, for the glories of our great club. For the glory that is Liverpool FC.

"They are not fit and proper persons to be the guardians of Liverpool FC.

"All they have contributed to Liverpool FC since that horrendous day in February 2007 is shame and dishonor.

"When they arrived, the club debt stood at £44.8 million; we were told that their debts incurred in buying the club would not be foisted upon the club. We were also told that work would begin on a new stadium in 60 days.

"This summer, the debt of Liverpool FC is £350 million and there are no plans for any stadium and the manager Rafael Benitez has been fired.

"Lies, subterfuge and debts. This has been the sad and sorry story of the tenure of Tom Hicks and George Gillett at Liverpool FC.

"In coming weeks, the LFCNY will be working closely with all the other Liverpool supporters’ clubs in North America and Spirit of Shankly to make sure that these two men will have nothing more to do with Liverpool FC.

"The people of Liverpool, the fans worldwide and the club itself deserves better than the steady diet of falsehoods and insults that have been served up by Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

"Get out of our club now and forever. You’ve done enough damage. Go before you do any more."

Europa League Qualifying Preview: Rabotnicki vs Liverpool

Nicknamed the Romantics, even the most whimsical Rabotnicki fan will not believe that the Macedonian top flight outfit stand a great chance of eliminating Liverpool from the Europa League in the third qualifying round.

Only twice in the club’s history have they made it to the first round proper of continental competition, with the likes of Inter Baku and Odense having knocked them out in recent seasons. Ironically, the last time they did reach the main event, they were drawn immediately against another Premier League side, Bolton Wanderers, and were swiftly dismissed.

When Rabotnicki met the Trotters back in the 2007-08 UEFA Cup, they certainly did not prove to be whipping boys, going out only 2-1 on aggregate, and the second placed side in last season’s Makedonska Prva Liga will be aiming to come out of the biggest European tie in their history with similar credit.

The Skopje outfit, who have a strong Brazilian influence in their ranks, will hope to take advantage of a partisan home crowd, a sultry Macedonian summer evening and their visitors’ relative lack of match practice to cause an upset in this fixture.

New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson showed last season that he will not treat the Europa League with total contempt, steering Fulham famously to the final of the competition, where they were narrowly edged out by a Diego Forlan-inspired Atletico Madrid. In charge of his first competitive game with the Reds, he will want his men to lay down a marker for the remainder of the season.

Hodgson, however, is still trying to get his squad to settle down at present. The Englishman is battling rumours that suggest Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano could be on their way out of Anfield, while he is also trying to plot a successful course towards new additions. Throw in the disruption the World Cup has caused the Pool’s pre-season preparations and suddenly this encounter does not look nearly so straightforward.

Additionally, pre-season has been something of a non-event for the Reds thus far. Only two friendlies have been played, and they have yet to score a goal, losing 1-0 to Kaiserslautern last Saturday, three days after being held by Grasshopper.

With cash seemingly at a premium at the Merseyside club, any opportunity to progress deep into profitable competitions will be considered a priority, but finishing in the top four in the Premier League will be Liverpool’s primary objective this season. There are still a couple of weeks before their domestic season kicks off, allowing Hodgson to examine his players fully in an encounter they could be stretched a little in.

Fernando Torres Tells Roy Hodgson He's Staying At Liverpool

While only weeks ago it appeared as if the Liverpool squad might come apart at the seams, it's turning out to be a rather successful summer for the club.

After the Reds snapped up Joe Cole and persuaded captain Steven Gerrard to stay, striker Fernando Torres has now told Liverpool that he's looking forward to playing for the club next season.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Torres spoke with manager Roy Hodgson and managing director Christian Purslow and let them know he would be returning to Liverpool next week after his post-World Cup vacation.

“As far as I know, he is looking forward to coming back here," Hodgson was quoted by the paper as saying. "He is coming back on Monday. He is enjoying a holiday and it is a well deserved break because he hasn’t really had one for three years. He is spending time with his family.

“Fernando is keeping a very low profile and is not speaking to anybody but he has told us that he is looking forward to Monday, to coming back to work and to playing for Liverpool next season.

“That’s what I know. All other reports (linking Torres with a move away) are, I would suggest, erroneous.”

Liverpool Agree Fee Of £2.5m For Aston Villa's Luke Young

Liverpool has made a surprise move for the Aston Villa full-back Luke Young. Roy Hodgson, the Liverpool manager, tried to sign Young earlier this year when he was in charge of Fulham and he has now rekindled his interest in the former England international. Liverpool has agreed a £2.5m fee for a player who has been told he is surplus to requirements at Villa Park.

Although Hodgson's pursuit of Young might raise a few eyebrows among Liverpool supporters, the 31-year-old is able to operate in both full-back positions and was asked to represent England as recently as last November, when Fabio Capello failed to persuade the defender to reverse the decision he made earlier that year to retire from international football with seven caps to his name. He would also increase Liverpool's quota of homegrown players to comply with the new Premier League rule.

Liverpool are also short of options in the full-back positions because Emiliano Insúa is set to join Fiorentina and Fábio Aurélio has left the club on a free transfer. Philipp Degen, the Switzerland right-back, has also been told that he can look for another club after meeting with Hodgson last week.

Villa have been keen to offload Young as he is one of the club's higher earners and has three years remaining on his contract. Sunderland had also expressed an interest in signing Young this summer but were unable to match his personal terms. Andy Evans, Young's agent, said: "A fee has been agreed with Liverpool. We're now in discussions about Luke's contract."

Villa's decision to make Young available for transfer came as a disappointment to many of the club's supporters. Having joined Villa from Middlesbrough in a £5.5m deal two years ago, Young performed well in his first season but his start to the following campaign was curtailed through a combination of injury and personal tragedy, when Andre, his 17-year-old half-brother, was found dead on holiday.

Young eventually came back into the Villa side but made only 14 Premier League starts and was ultimately unable to dislodge Carlos Cuéllar, an orthodox central defender, from the right-back position. He remained a popular figure among the Villa supporters, however, and was given a standing ovation when he appeared as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers in the final match of the season.

Insua's Viola Move In Doubt

Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua's move to Fiorentina is in danger of falling through, according to the Serie A club.

Fiorentina fear the player's wage demands could put the Argentine's switch to the Artemio Franchi in jeopardy.

Insua seemed set to leave Liverpool after Fiorentina agreed an undisclosed fee with the Merseyside side for the left-back.

However, Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino has warned Insua that he might have to take a drop in wages to tie up the move to Italy.

"We have an agreement with the English club, but we have to find an understanding with the player in terms of wages," Corvino told Quotidianopuglia.it.

"We cannot guarantee him the figures that he gets at Liverpool."

Liverpool Linked With Porto Wing-Back Jorge Fucile

Liverpool are being linked with Porto wing-back Jorge Fucile.

The Uruguay international is attracting interest from Liverpool and Schalke, according to Lisbon sources.

Porto want £7 million for Fucile, who is aware of the Liverpool rumours.

But he said: "I have great respect for the president, the club and the fans.

"This is a great club to play for."

Inter To Offer Liverpool €15 Million & Sulley Muntari For Javier Mascherano

Inter have wasted no time in throwing together a move for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, who is intent on quitting the Merseysiders.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson confirmed the Argentinian has expressed a desire to leave Anfield on Tuesday, and Inter are first in line to entice him away from the Premier League.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Inter are eager to use Mascherano's stance on leaving for their own gain, but president Massimo Moratti is not keen on spending €25-30 million on the midfielder.

The latest indications from Milan suggest the Italian champions will offer Sulley Muntari, who has become peripheral to plans, plus a €15m lump sum in exchange for Mascherano.

The Ghana international had a decent World Cup and is admired by Hodgson, who wouldn't mind having him at the club as a replacement for the outgoing 'Masch'.

Inter are now expected to speak up with the Reds, as dialogue becomes resonant over a prospective deal.

Espanyol Set To Complete Loan Swoop For Liverpool Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez

Liverpool have told Maxi Rodriguez he can leave the club and the midfielder is expected to complete a loan return to Espanyol, according to El Mundo Deportivo.

New Reds manager Roy Hodgson is understood to have told the Argentina World Cup 2010 star he is surplus to requirements at Anfield. This has alerted his former side to him and a temporary deal could be rubber stamped in the coming days.

The only obstacle to the move is Liverpool's demands for a permanent transfer. Espanyol are keen to borrow the player next season before buying him outright.

Rodriguez struggled to make an impression at Anfield last term after he completed a £1.5 million switch in the New Year. The 29-year-old enjoyed a three-year spell at the Barcelona-based team from 2002-2005 and is keen to reinvigorate his career there.

Liverpool Defender Danny Wilson Delighted With Move

Liverpool defender Danny Wilson says his move to Liverpool has capped off a "crazy" 12 months for him.

The 18-year-old moved to Anfield after impressing at Rangers last season.

"This time last year I was with the Rangers reserve team over in Northern Ireland playing pre-season friendly games," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"From there I went on to play 24 games for Rangers. It's been a crazy 12 months for me, but to get this move to cap it all has been fantastic."

Wilson was voted the Scottish Young Player of the Year last season and moved to Liverpool as they look to re-build under new manager Roy Hodgson.

The youngster is very aware of the battle he has to gain a place in the Reds starting line-up.

"I think if you'd ask any player they'd rather play than not play," Wilson continued. "I'm not going to sit here and say I deserve to push all these star players at Liverpool out of the team, it could take a while.

"It's going to take a lot of learning from me. I've noticed in training it's a faster pace down here and it's a different style.

"But at the end of the day you're a footballer and you're playing football and it's the same game. My main aim is to do as well as I can.

"I've not set myself any targets, but when it happens, it happens and if not, I'll just keep working hard and try and make it happen."

The Scotland youth international admits he knew of the Reds interest in him and he could not turn down the opportunity.

"I heard a few months ago that there was reported interest from Liverpool but nothing concrete," said Wilson.

"Once I heard that I started to get a bit excited but tried not to get ahead of myself. Once I heard of that I thought if there was a chance I could come to this club then I definitely would.

"Everybody knows Liverpool everywhere you go in the world, both the football club and the city. They've won five Champions League titles and 18 league titles and you can't argue with a record like that, especially in such a difficult league like England."

Cole: We Can Be Great Again

Joe Cole is convinced Liverpool are not that far away from a return to the great days after he admitted Anfield was always the hardest away ground to play at for Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League.

Liverpool's new No.10 has settled in quickly to his new surroundings and can't wait to parade his skills in front of the Kop.

"Look at all the pictures around this place and you want more of that," said Cole.

"The whole club is built on success. I can feel the hunger and the desire here, and that's a great base to come from.

"The gaffer's experience and organization are another positive and with all the quality players they have here, I am convinced we will do better than last season.

"When I had decided to leave Chelsea I didn't want to rush into a decision, you only get one career, but my first thought was Liverpool and my last thought was Liverpool. Now I want to concentrate on helping this club gets back up again.

"As soon as I walked into this place I loved it and I believe we can do something special here.

"I'm not one of those players who walks into a place and says I've always supported them, but I have always thought a lot of the supporters here.

"Liverpool was always the hardest away game in our fixtures, harder than going to Old Trafford. If we can make that the base and a fortress again, and get some points on the road, anything can happen.

"I don't want to come up here and end up going back south every day off. I want to immerse myself in the place.

"Someone once gave me the advice that when move, you should always make sure you are part of the club.

"It's a big challenge for me, but I will do that here."

At the age of 28 Cole believes his best days are yet to come and his big hope is to play a major role in helping Roy Hodgson's side get back to what Liverpool are renowned for - winning trophies.

"I left a mark at Chelsea, being part of great teams that won things, Player of the Year and stuff, and I am proud of that," he added.

"Now I want to leave my mark at a massive club like this as well - I'm really excited about it.

"I wanted to come to somewhere at the start of something and it was easy to come here because it's such a massive club. It's all pointing in the right direction."

"I want to be part of a team, a successful team. I know what a successful team's about and what an unsuccessful one is too.

"I know what it takes to win titles, all I need here is time to settle in, regular games and to get used to playing with new players.

"When you've been at a club as long as I have, coming to a new one, with a different style, takes time but we will roll on from there. It's a long process and we have to be realistic, but we are double positive."

The England international also revealed he is fully recovered from the knee ligament injury he suffered in January 2009 and wants to make up for lost time by giving his best years to Liverpool.

"Last year was tough," he added.

"I was trying to get my match fitness back and prove I should be starting, maybe trying too hard, but it just wasn't happening.

"But I still made an impact and still proud of the part I played in a difficult season. Now this is a fresh start. I just need match fitness but my body is strong.

"The important thing is getting the back to back games and just playing regularly.

"The last time I played 90 minutes was February and I need to be able to do that week in week out, and I will do that.

"Roy made it very clear he wanted me as a player and what he wanted from me. All I need is time and patience."

Roy Hodgson Expects More Signings To Arrive Before End Of Transfer Window

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is confident of further adding to his squad before the end of this summer’s transfer window following the captures of Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Jonjo Shelvey, and Danny Wilson.

Hodgson, who will take charge of his first competitive game as Liverpool manager on Thursday in the third qualifying round of the Europa League against Macedonian side Rabotnicki, has spent a little over £3 million in transfer fees this summer, and the former Fulham boss is hoping there will be more new arrivals at the club.

"I am very excited and happy for the club that we have been able to sign three players of this quality," Hodgson explained at the unveiling of Cole, Jovanovic, and Wilson.

"It was important we made some signings early on and made clear to everyone that our intentions are very serious.

"I think it is clear from the players alongside me we are serious and we have been fortunate enough to acquire their services."

"We're still interested in some other players. I hope this won't be the last of our signings.

"The aim of the club, the aim of the board, Christian Purslow and everyone at the club, is to try and make this squad as competitive as possible."

Hodgson To Decide On Liverpool FC Euro Squad

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson will not try to protect senior stars like Steven Gerrard when the club’s Europa League campaign gets under way this week.

The 62-year-old will decide today whether the England captain, and his international team-mates Jamie Carragher, Glen Johnson and Joe Cole, should be included against Rabotnicki in the third qualifying round tie.

Liverpool’s medical team have advised the Englishman it is too soon to use those players who were on World Cup duty after just over a week back in pre-season training.

Hodgson has to weigh up whether it is more risky to leave the task of getting through into the competition proper in the hands of a reserve side who have not scored a goal in two warm-up matches.

But if he does select the likes of Gerrard he will at least respect their stature in the game by naming them in the starting line-up rather than keeping them on the bench for an emergency.

“I don’t know what to do at this stage,” he said.

“I will have to liaise with them and (head of sports science) Peter Brukner and make a decision by Tuesday on what sort of team I can put out.

“It is going to be a difficult discussion between myself and Peter because his feeling is we shouldn’t use any of them and I am going to be tempted to say I want to use quite a few of them.

“The only players I will take will be the ones that I definitely think will play a valuable part in the game.

“If we are talking about senior players, it would be players prepared to start the game. I would not take Steven Gerrard there to play for the last 10 minutes as a substitute.”

Liverpool Defender Jamie Carragher Expects Steven Gerrard And Fernando Torres To Stay At Anfield

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes star players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will stay at the club this summer.

The duo have been strongly linked with moves away from Anfield following the Reds’ poor form last season which saw them finish seventh in the Premier League, failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Torres has been attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester City, whose manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed his interest in the striker, while Gerrard has been linked with Real Madrid.

Carragher says he is sure the duo will stay at Anfield and believes the club should be aiming to finish in the top four.

"There's been a lot of negativity and it's been like that for a while," he told ZOO magazine.

"I'm sure that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will still be involved at the club next season.

"If they are, then the aim for Liverpool must be to get back into the Champions League."

The 32-year-old admits Liverpool’s expectations have been lowered after their campaign last season and says winning the Premier League is not their aim.

"Liverpool aren't a club like Real Madrid, who can just throw £100 million at it if we don't win the title," he said.

"For clubs like Real Madrid and Inter Milan, it's a disaster if they don't win the league, so they go out and spend big money on new players.

"Liverpool can't do that - we have to build. Next season, rather than thinking too much about the title, we have to concentrate on getting back into the top four.

"It's a rebuilding process again and hopefully we can get ourselves right up there.''