Aurelio Fit For Opening Day

Fabio Aurelio hopes to give Rafael Benitez a selection headache by declaring himself available for Saturday's Barclays Premier League opener in Sunderland.

The Brazilian left-back has been on the sidelines for most of pre-season with a shin injury but he is now back in training and determined to be fit for the big kick-off.

"I'm back in training and feel 100 per cent so I'll be ready for the start of the season at Sunderland," Aurelio told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It was really important for me to be involved in the pre-season training camp in Switzerland and I worked hard. Unfortunately another small problem kept me out when I got a kick on my shin which caused some inflammation, but I'm now looking forward to the start of the season.

"It will be the manager's decision whether I will be involved against Sunderland. I hope to do a good job and help the team make a good start to the season."

Aurelio believes it is imperative Liverpool get off to a winning start against a side many fancy to go from strength to strength in their second top flight season.

Roy Keane has brought in the likes of El-Hadji Diouf and Tottenham trio Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tainio, and Aurelio knows he and his teammates face a tough time.

"Now is the time when the results have to come and we are ready for the start of the season," he said. "We know that Sunderland has improved their squad a lot during the summer and they are a strong team now.

"We have also improved by bringing in some quality players so we know that even the team isn't 100 per cent yet we hope to start well and get the three points. We have a strong squad and we want to fight for the title this year."

The summer has seen the arrival at Melwood of Italian left-back Andrea Dossena, while young pretender Emiliano Insua has impressed when given the first-team call.

Not that Aurelio is flustered at the prospect of fighting for his place.

"It's really good to have competition and I think the boss is really pleased about that," he added. "He has a very good opportunity to change the system and use different players, so everyone will be fighting for their place. I think that is very good for the team.

"In every position we have two or three players so I think it's very important during every training session that we all keep working hard and keep up our level."

Kuyt: Liverpool Need Liege Kick Start

Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool’s Belgian battering has given them “the kick we needed” – and warned Sunderland to beware a backlash tomorrow.

The Anfield outfit were fortunate to escape with a goalless draw from their Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege on Wednesday night.

It was an alarming start to the new campaign for Rafael Benitez’s side, who were indebted to a sparkling performance from goalkeeper Pepe Reina that included a penalty save.

And Kuyt, one of several players under-par on the evening, admits it was a wake-up call for a Liverpool team that were unbeaten throughout pre-season.

“I think we have to look on it as the kick we needed,” he said. “We are still in the game and we will have a good chance at Anfield. We all know we have to perform better – and we will.

“The only good thing about that game for us was the 0-0 scoreline. We were all very disappointed by the performance we gave, as players and as a team. We tried to do our best and it was not good enough.

“They could certainly have had one or two goals, and Reina was definitely man of the match. He made some wonderful saves and also stopped a penalty.

“If you don’t play well, but still draw your worst games, then you can actually look on that as a good thing. We didn’t concede a goal so you also have to take the positives, and that is one.”

Liverpool have an immediate chance to atone for their poor display when they begin their Premier League title quest at Sunderland tomorrow.

And Kuyt added: “We are looking forward to Saturday even more, to show who we are and what we can do.”

One of either Mascherano or Babel will definitely return in time for the Premier League home game against Middlesbrough next weekend, with Argentina and Holland competing a quarter-final tomorrow.

Pepe Dreaming Of Title Glory

On the eve of the new Barclays Premier League campaign Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina has spoken of his belief that Rafael Benitez has assembled a squad capable of winning 'the most difficult competition in the world'.

With hopes and expectations high ahead of the big kick-off Reina - Liverpool's penalty saving hero against Standard Liege on Wednesday night - insists the Reds have never been better equipped to end their 18-year wait for the title to return to Anfield.

"We have to trust ourselves and believe we can do it," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "The squad has improved season after season and we have to believe this can be our year.

"I hope that in ten months we can be celebrating. I would like to win the Premier League firstly for our supporters, but also because it's the most difficult competition in the world.

"We just want to be involved in every competition this season. That has to be our aim. We want to get closer to the top two and also have a good run in the Champions League again.

"The new players who have come in will help us. I think Robbie Keane will be a great partner for Fernando. He has had some brilliant years at Tottenham, he's a world class player and he will score a lot of goals for Liverpool."

The Reds kick-off the new campaign with an away trip to Sunderland on Saturday evening at a ground where they recorded a 2-0 victory last season.

"It will be a tough test for us," added Reina. "The first league game is always difficult and it will be for us at Sunderland.

"We won there last season but I remember it wasn't easy. They are a difficult side to play against and they will be going for it against us. We have to be strong defensively and then wait for our moment.

Liverpool's Persuit Of Gareth Barry Looks Set To Collapse

Gareth Barry’S proposed move to Liverpool edged nearer to collapse after the midfielder appeared for Aston Villa in the Uefa Cup last night.

Barry started and scored in his team’s win in their qualifying first leg tie against FH Hafnarfjordur in Iceland.

The England international’s selection means he will be cup tied and unable to play for another side in Europe until the knockout stages in February.

However, Villa manager Martin O’Neill insists the latest development does not necessarily rule out a move to Liverpool for Barry.

"I wouldn’t be particularly sure until the transfer deadline passes what might materialise, so we’ll see," he said.

"But he’s our player, and he wanted to play in the game, and we think he’s mentally tuned into it, so that’s all that matters."

Barry has been a target for Liverpool all summer and lost the captaincy for criticising Villa manager O’Neill’s handling of the move.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had previously made no secret of his desire to sign the 27-year-old.

But chief executive Rick Parry revealed over the weekend that the club’s hierarchy regard Villa’s £18m valuation as "too high".

Barry has been desperate for a move to Anfield, with Liverpool having first lodged a bid back in May.

However, increasingly strained dealings between the clubs have cast doubt over the transfer, with last night’s developments further threatening Liverpool’s current interest in the player.

Dirk Kuyt Promises Liverpool Will Make Premier League Title Challenge

Dirk Kuyt has vowed that Liverpool's Premier League campaign will not be over by the end of September this time around.

The Anfield striker knows that for the past few seasons they have blown their title hopes with an abysmal start that has left them too far off the pace.

There are already fears that Liverpool will follow a familiar pattern as this year's race gets underway after a shocking Champions League performance in Liege on Wednesday.

Liverpool looked well short of the level required to put pressure on Manchester United and Chelsea as they struggled against the Belgian champions.

But Kuyt is adamant that even though the European performance was not good enough, it will be a different story at Sunderland tomorrow night.

"It sometimes happens you don't play your best game as a team, but we will not play like that at the Stadium of Light," insisted the Dutchman.

"The start of the season is big for us. We know how important it will be against Sunderland. We have to do better and we know we will."

Barry Aware Of Consequences

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill insists Gareth Barry "knew the consequences" of his decision to play in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night.

Barry scored the opening goal as Villa cruised to a 4-1 victory over FH Hafnarfjordur in Iceland in the second qualifying round match, a result which home boss Heimir Gudjonsson admitted has killed the tie off at the halfway stage.

But by playing, Barry may have damaged his chances of a move to Liverpool before the transfer window closes at the end of August - if he still wants to go to Anfield.

Liverpool's pursuit of the England midfielder has been a summer-long saga, however by making a European appearance for Villa, Barry has made himself ineligible for the Champions League group stages, which may make him a less attractive target for Rafael Benitez.

O'Neill said: "He was in the right frame of mind and wanted to play. Nothing would have stopped him so that is pleasing.

"I have no idea what will happen between now and the end of August.

"He knew the consequences of playing tonight so the decision was very much his."

O'Neill's side, being watched by England boss Fabio Capello, went into an early 3-0 lead with goals from Barry, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, before Matthias Gudmundsson pulled one back just before half-time.

Martin Laursen restored Villa's three-goal advantage after the break.

Villa have a comfortable advantage for the second leg, and they should ease into the first round proper of the competition when their Icelandic opponents visit Villa Park in a fortnight's time.

Villa face Manchester City in their Premier League opener on Sunday, but O'Neill said: "I could not think at all about the game on Sunday until we had played tonight, but I was very pleased with some of the football we played.

"We obviously need to tighten up our defence if we could, but I was very pleased to win."

Hafnarfjordur manager Gudjonsson conceded his team's European campaign was effectively over.

"Since it is obvious we don't have any chance in the second leg we will concentrate on the league," said Gudjonsson.

"I don't think this game will break us down, I doubt we'll play against a team as good as this again this summer."

He added: "The game was over before it began. We let in two goals in six minutes when there was a total lack of concentration.

"I do not know if players showed Aston Villa too much respect, which was not necessary.

"If you go two goals behind against such a team at home, obviously it will be difficult but we tried and showed sometimes that we are a good attacking team.

"But in football you must also play defence and that we did not.

"Of course I am disappointed. We planned to get more out of this game and were hoping to get a good result - by that I mean a draw or losing by one goal which meant we would be going out there to possibly put pressure on them."

Milan In For Alonso?

Another name has been added to the list of suitors for Xabi Alonso, as AC Milan have now been linked with the Liverpool midfielder.

Alonso's future has been up in the air all summer long, as the Reds' pursuit of Gareth Barry was expected to signal the end of the Spaniard's stay at Anfield.

Indeed, the Basque playmaker seemed certain to make the switch to Juventus before joining up with la Seleccion for their successful EURO 2008 campaign, but that move collapsed after the clubs failed to agree a fee.

And reports from England suggest that Juve's rivals, Milan, are now set to make a move for the 26-year-old.

The Rossoneri know Alonso's qualities all too well, having come up against the former Real Sociedad man in two Champions League finals.

Carlo Ancelotti's squad already boasts an abundance of midfield talent with the likes of Mathieu Flamini, Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo - the latter of whom is stylistically quite similar to Alonso.

Furthermore, the Merseyside club are now very unlikely to sell the crafty centre-man after calling off their pursuit of Barry, whose £18million price-tag proved too steep.

Hence, this link can perhaps be attributed to the fact Alonso is cup-tied after playing in Liverpool's Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege, thus diminishing his value in the eyes of Arsenal, Internazionale and Milan.

Milan, however, are in the UEFA Cup, meaning the player would still be able to feature in European competition if he move to il Diavolo.

But the switch remains a very remote possibility, and the San Siro club would have to fork out at least £15million to land their man.

Liverpool 'Were Very Lucky To Have Got Away With A Draw,' Admits Rafel Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said that his side were fortunate to have escaped from their Champions League third qualifying round, first-leg match at Standard Liege with their interest in the competition still intact.

Liege were highly unfortunate not to have won after a storming performance in front of their fanatical fans.

In the end a goalless draw will delight Liverpool, who turned in a worryingly disjointed display.

"We were very lucky to have got away with a draw, very lucky not to have conceded goals," Benitez said.

"It was a very disappointing performance. But the team know they have to improve, and I did not have to say much to them in the dressing-room, sometimes you do not need many words."

Liverpool's man of the match was goalkeeper Jose Reina, who saved a first-half penalty. The Spanish goalkeeper also looked to have clawed another effort back from behind the goal-line in a first half in which the Belgian champions threatened to overrun the Anfield side.

Benitez is putting his faith in a much-improved display in the second leg at Anfield in a fortnight. If not, then Liverpool could go the same way as Rangers, who also failed to get to the group stages of the lucrative competition.

"It will be different at Anfield, there we are expected to win and we will have our own fans behind us. Liege had their very noisy fans for the first leg," Benitez added.

The five-time European Cup winners could easily have finished the match three or four goals in arrears.

"We were not surprised by the fine performance of the Liege side, we had seen enough of them to know they were a good, aggressive side," the Liverpool manager added.

"The real surprise for me was the way Liverpool played. The only positive to take from the match was the fact that we did not concede a goal.

"We will have to be a lot better in the second leg at Anfield, much better.

"We have been playing well in pre-season, looking confident and passing the ball well.

"But we did not do any of those things. I did not want to bring Steven Gerrard on because the doctors had told me he was not fit enough to start the match.

"We waited until well into the second half before using him, but we were not controlling the game and I had to bring him on."

Gerrard was initially ruled out with a thigh strain and looked well short of his combative best when he eventually entered the fray.

Praising his Spain international goalkeeper, Benitez added: "Jose Reina was the man of the match.

"We know we can always rely on Pepe to stop penalties, but we have been told that the other effort may have been behind the line, but these things happen."

Liege coach Laszlo Boloni said: "Liverpool maybe came here asleep and not expecting this sort of game.

"Maybe, though, we have woken them up for the second leg, which will me much harder for us.

"We felt that if we did not lose this leg, we would still be in with a chance. We know, though, that we still have to score and that could be the problem.

"But I want to praise my team. They attacked Liverpool from the start, and when their goalkeeper pulled the ball back from behind the line, maybe the referee was asleep too."

Reina: We Need To Improve

Pepe Reina accepts Liverpool must step up their game if they're to see off the challenge of Standard Liege and qualify for the group stages of this season's Champions League.

The Reds arrived back from Belgium in the early hours of this morning after a disappointing display in Liege ensured the third round tie remained firmly in the balance ahead of the Anfield return in two weeks' time.

Reina was the Reds hero on the night, making a series of fine saves including a 10th minute penalty stop from Dante after Andrea Dossena was adjudged to have handled inside the area.

The Liverpool 'keeper was also called into action to scoop the ball to safety after Feillani's header had spun back off the post towards the net.

"We played really bad and it's clear we have to improve for the game at Anfield," admitted Reina.

"The positive thing is we got a result, we kept a clean sheet and it's still in our hands. But we didn't play well.

"I don't know if the ball was over the line before I cleared it - I'll have to watch it on TV. Penalty saves are always difficult but, like I say, at least we got the result on the night. But we have to improve."

Voronin Pining For Anfield Exit

Andriy Voronin's days at Liverpool appear to be numbered following the Ukrainian striker's admission that his first-team prospects are non-existent.

Voronin has endured a less than stellar time of things since arriving at Anfield on a free transfer last summer.

Despite leap-frogging Peter Crouch in the pecking order last season - much to the bewilderment of many, it must be said - the 29-year-old failed to establish himself in the starting XI due to a combination of injury, poor form and the brilliance of Fernando Torres.

The vast majority of Kopites have called for Rafael Benitez get rid of the former Bayer Leverkusen man and instead promote youth talents such as Krisztian Nemeth and Daniel Pacheco.

It appears the Spanish tactician may have heeded the supporters to some extent, as Voronin remained on the pine while Moroccan youngster Nabil El Zhar came on late in last night's nervy Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege.

The hard-working forward now finds himself behind Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel and new-boy Robbie Keane in the queue for vying for the attacking spots behind Torres.

Hence, although he scored freely during pre-season, Voronin is resigned to spending the season on the sidelines unless he secures a last-minute move away from Merseyside.

"It looks as if there will be no honest competition for my position," he was quoted as saying in The Sun.

"I think it has been filled whatever I do."

Standarrd Liege 0 - 0 LiverpooL

Liverpool's season began with a stutter as they drew 0-0 with Standard Liege in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier in Belgium.

Liverpool paired Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane together for the first time in competitive action but the duo failed to gel and the Reds can count themselves fortunate to be going back to England on level terms.

Their first escape came after just six minutes when Marouane Fellaini's header appeared to be heading in off the post, only for Jose Reina to scramble across his goal and claw it off the line.

There was some debate as to whether the ball had actually crossed but Liege really should have rendered it immaterial when they were handed a penalty just four minutes later.

Wilfred Dalmat's cross definitely hit the arm of Andrea Dossena, but the left-back was also definitely outside the box. Referee Tom Henning Ovrebo pointed to the spot, though, and it needed Reina again to produce heroics to keep out Dante Bonfim's spot-kick with his legs.

A speculative Xabi Alonso effort that landed on the roof of the net was the closest Liverpool went in a disappointing first 45 minutes and it showed no signs of improving at the start of the second.

Liege again went close through a Igor de Camargo header in the 65th minute and while Rafa Benitez introduced Steven Gerrard for an out-of-sorts Keane, the Merseysiders still could not get into the game.

Reina punched away another De Camargo header seven minutes later but a tame Gerrard free-kick in stoppage time was the closest the visitors went to taking a lead back to Anfield.

Liverpool’s Keane: I Am No David Villa, But Want To Form Successful Partnership With Torres

Liverpool new-signing Robbie Keane has stressed that he has his own style, and will not try to be Reds version of David Villa, but will strive to deliver the goods in partnership with Reds’ ace Fernando Torres to be as prolific a combination as the two Spaniards are for their country.

The Republic of Ireland forward signed for the Reds this summer in a big-money move from Tottenham, thus giving boss Rafa Benitez plenty of options with his versatility.

Keane told ZOO magazine: "As good as David Villa is, I like to think I am my own player and won't be trying to be Liverpool's version.

"But if Fernando and I can become as successful for Liverpool as he and Villa are for Spain, then that would be fantastic!"

Keane and Torres are set to spearhead the Merseyside attack together for the first time in a competitive game when the Reds take on Standard Liege in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League qualifier in Belgium.

Dirk Kuyt: I Want To Stay At Liverpool For As Long As The Club Wants Me

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt claims he has been reassured by Reds manager Rafael Benitez that he still has a future at the club.

The Dutchman found himself playing for much of last season on the right side of midfield, as Benitez opted to play just Fernando Torres up front.

Robbie Keane’s arrival from Tottenham means the 28-year-old is unlikely to be a regular starter in his favoured position even if the Spaniard reverts back to a two-man strikeforce this season.

Kuyt, who scored three goals in 32 appearances for the Anfield club last term, was recently linked with a move to German side Hamburg, but he remains desperate to stay on Merseyside.

And he insists Benitez is happy to grant him his wish.

"I’m really happy at Liverpool and I want to stay here for as long as the club wants me," Kuyt told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"I am really settled here and I like the city. The most important thing is I like the club and I’ve really enjoyed the two seasons I’ve been here.

"The only thing I am missing is some trophies and hopefully that will come in the next year.

"I’ve never had any intentions of leaving this club. Sometimes things are said in the press but the boss said to me that is not relevant and he wants me here with Liverpool."

Liverpool Set To End Interest In Barry As He Prepares For Villa's UEFA Cup Campaign

Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool finally appears to have fallen through after he asked to join Aston Villa's Uefa Cup challenge.

The England midfielder declared himself available to play after speaking to Martin O'Neill's staff, giving the clearest indication yet that he will remain at Villa Park.

Villa's boss said: 'I didn't get a chance to speak to Gareth on Monday but my assistants John Robertson and Steve Walford did.

'Last week, he was more than unsettled but he has said he's absolutely right. He's ready to play and he wanted to come and join us.

'That's particularly pleasing. I shall speak to him before the game. But what was very encouraging was that he wanted to come.

'If players are mentally right and they are really good players - and Gareth Barry is a really good player - then I wouldn't have any hesitation in picking him.

'He's right to play. And it's terrific news for us.'

O'Neill said he would have no hesistation in naming Barry and it seems certain that he will play a part in the National Stadium this evening.

Despite signing three defenders in the past week, ONeill has only been able to add Nicky Shorey to his list of eligible players with both Carlos Cuellar and Luke Young unavailable.

Barry did not travel with the team on their training camp in Spain last week and is short of match practice. He has not featured since the victory over Odense in the prevous round.

But O'Neill will be eager for him to have a run-out against the Icelanders as it will be ideal preparation ahead of this Sunday's Premier League kick-off at Villa Park against Manchester City.

CL Preview: Standard Liège - Liverpool

Once again an important Liverpool game is in danger of being overshadowed by an off-field saga. This unfortunately is becoming an all too frequent trend for the Merseyside giants. The latest episode is another apparent conflict between owners and manager, this time over the funding of the proposed Gareth Barry move. The Americans claim that they simply see Barry’s price tag as having escalated beyond what is reasonable and that a deal would no longer represent good business.

They claim they are questioning Villa’s valuation, not Benitez’s judgement, as they have recent spent what may eventually be in excess of £20 million on Robbie Keane.

As usual, such off-field wranglings are distracting the Reds from their more immediate concern: qualifying for the Champions League. Rangers' shock defeat to Lithuanian minnows Kaunas, plus flashbacks of Barnsley in the FA Cup last year will surely have Rafa overpreparing to prevent a footballing and financial disaster.

Benitez has become accustomed to, in his own tongue-in-cheek words, focusing on “coaching and training the players” and not letting behind the scenes drama affect his side adversely. Pre-season has gone well so far, with some pleasing results and performances. Most notably there was a 4-0 thrashing of Rangers and a 1-0 victory over Lazio at Anfield.

A star performer has been Xabi Alonso, who has shown that he wants his football do the talking, despite the ongoing speculation as regards his future. He will be hoping to show fans and manager alike that a collapse of the Barry deal would be no great disaster. Another shining light was Yossi Benayoun, a player who has also been linked with a move away this summer. It will no doubt be encouraging for fans to see such players reacting well and being determined to prove their worth instead of becoming unsettled and allowing transfer speculation to impact on their performance. A less well-known player to emerge from recent fixtures was new signing David Ngog, who has scored twice since his signing from Paris Saint Germain. He will be hoping for a more successful Premier League career than his maligned cousin and former Newcastle United defender, Jean-Alain Boumsong.

Though differing in European stature, both sides are known as 'The Reds' in their home countries. Although relative minnows on the European stage Standard Liege have met Liverpool before, in the Cup Winners' Cup in December 1965. Liverpool won both legs and ran away with a 5-2 aggregate victory. Standard have had considerable domestic success, winning the league nine times and the Belgian cup five times.

FORM GUIDE

Standard Liege

23 July v FC Koln (A) DREW 3-3

24 July v RRC Hamoir (H) WON 5-0

30 July v Valenciennes FC (A) WON 1-0

31 July v FC Seraing (H) WON 9-0

02 August v Saint-Etienne (A) LOST 3-0

09 August v Anderlecht (SuperCup) WON 3-1

Liverpool

08 August v Lazio (H) WON 1-0

05 August v Valerenga (A) WON 4-1

02 August v Rangers (A) WON 4-0

30 July v Villareal (A) DREW 0-0

22 July v Hertha Berlin (A) DREW 0-0

19 July v Wisla Krakow (A) DREW 1-1

TEAM NEWS

Standard Liege

Standard have flown star midfielder, Fellaini, back from the Olympics to ensure they have their strongest possible line-up against last season’s Champions League finalists.

Liverpool

Club captain Steven Gerrard has travelled to Belgium and Liverpool will wait until late to see if he is fit. This is evidence that Liverpool are taking this game seriously, realising they can afford no mishaps. No unnecessary risks will be taken with Gerrard though as, with the opening league game of the season against Sunderland forthcoming at the weekend.

Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel will miss out against Standard but both may possibly be fit for the Sunderland fixture. Benitez said, "They are not ready for this game but hopefully both will be available for the weekend.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Standard Liege

Zaire striker Dieumerci Mbokani will be a major threat up front, he has been described as the ‘next Didier Drogba’ by the Belgian media. Marouane Fellaini in midfield is also a key player for the club. He is regarded so highly that the club sent a private jet to collect him from Olympic duty for the Liverpool game.

Liverpool

£20 million man Robbie Keane is set to make his competitive debut and will certainly have the most attention. Eyes will also be on Alonso, after a great pre-season, especially if Gerrard misses out. With Javier Mascherano away on Olympic duty, Alonso could be set to be the key player in the centre of the park. If Gerrard does not recover in time, young French midfielder Damien Plessis may get a big chance to impress.

Henry Winter's Pre-Season Predictions

Few teams in Europe can boast a spine as strong as Liverpool's: Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher defying attackers, Javier Mascherano breaking up opponents' moves in midfield, Steven Gerrard surging forward to liaise with Fernando Torres.

Liverpool will continue to stir respect, if not yet fear in the hearts of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

It is already clear how shrewdly Rafa Benitez has acted in the transfer market. Andrea Dossena should slot in comfortably at left-back while Robbie Keane's recruitment is inspired.

Criticism has been levelled at Liverpool for spending £20m on a 28-year-old in Keane. This is nonsense: 28 is usually deemed a peak for a player. Keane has always looked after himself, has never been short of energetic endeavour on the field and clearly cannot wait to play a competitive match for his childhood love.

Tottenham Hotspur fans were devastated to see Keane leave. He was never moody like Dimitar Berbatov; he just got on with representing the team, creating and scoring goals. Now he has his dream move, leaving tear-stained Spurs fans writing thank you notes.

Recognition of how much Keane is still admired at White Hart Lane, for his service and goals, will doubtless come when Liverpool visit north London this season and the Irishman receives a standing ovation.

Spurs fans will not begrudge Keane the chance to fulfill a childhood dream, pulling on the Liverpool red, and Kopites will doubtless warm to him quickly. Keane has been saying all the right things, about his long-standing love for the club, but it will be when he has the ball at his feet that Anfield will really welcome him.

Benitez has not simply brought a striker, a goalscorer who can lead the line when Torres needs a break. As he showed at Spurs, Keane is hugely versatile. He can work happily alongside a centre-forward like Torres in an orthodox 4-4-2 or push to the flanks in a 4-2-3-1 formation. He can lurk in the hole behind Torres if Benitez wants to play 4-4-1-1 with Gerrard deeper. Such a selfless player, Keane happily links midfield and attack.

What will probably happen is that all strands to Keane's varied game are seen in every match. He will drift wide to lose a marker or create space for Torres, he will dovetail with the Spaniard, he will drop deep and swap passes with Gerrard, inviting the captain through on goal.

Keane possesses those classic, time-honoured Liverpool qualities of work-rate and intelligence, both traits contained in his non-stop and invariably influential movement. His arrival is particularly well-timed because Torres will be even more closely watched than before.

People might argue that this is because Torres' masterpiece of finishing in Vienna won Spain the European Championships. No. Torres was always going to receive extra attention this season because of his outstanding work for Liverpool last term.

Opponents may play deeper against Liverpool, hoping to combat Torres' ability to use his pace and eye for an opening to get behind any defence. If opponents do stretch the pitch this will inevitably open up space in front of their defence for the likes of Gerrard.

His pre-season hampered by a slight thigh injury, Gerrard should prove a huge force this season partly because he enjoyed a rare rest. With England having failed to qualify for Euro 2008, the ambitious midfielder will be even more determined to deliver. As a fan, Gerrard remembers life at Anfield when Liverpool were champions of England and he will be as driven as ever to bring the trophy home.

His great friend, Carragher, should have a high-profile season. The defender's autobiography is due out in the autumn and promises to be typically frank. Honesty has always been Carragher's trademark and his utter commitment to the cause keeps him revered as one of Europe's best centre-halves.

Benitez has used Carragher at right-back, because of the returning Daniel Agger and the excellence of Martin Skrtel, but Carragher deserves to be used in his best position. He remains Liverpool's leading centre-half and should be the rock around which Benitez builds his defence. Never tamper with a successful defence.

Having Agger fit again will be a huge boost for Liverpool and he works well with Carragher which leaves Benitez with a quandary over Skrtel. Having addressed the problem on the left with Dossena's arrival, Benitez still needs a high-class full-back on the other flank.

So Liverpool still need reinforcements if they are to challenge for the Premier League title. Manchester United and Chelsea simply have deeper resources. Yet Benitez, so sharp tactically, is still capable of setting up the team to prosper in Europe. His ability to prepare the side to face Continental opponents remains phenomenal. He has outfoxed some of the greatest minds in European football, and the Spaniard may well do so again.

Now Liverpool Linked With Chelsea's Cole

There is growing speculation in the English media that Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole could move to Liverpool.

England midfielder Joe Cole could soon achieve what another, Gareth Barry, apparently can’t: join Liverpool. At least, that is the latest transfer market rumour.

There were reports yesterday that Aston Villa might make a bid for Cole, but now it seems Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has shown an interest, and given the Reds’ Champions League involvement, it may be a rumour to take more seriously.

It is said that Cole has become unsettled at Stamford Bridge following the Blues’; signing of Deco and the possible arrival of Robinho, and is seeking reassurance from new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari that he figures in the Brazilian’s plans for the new season - especially as his opportunities in pre-season have been decidedly limited.

Cole, 26, is competing with Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Deco, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Florent Malouda, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel for a place in the Chelsea midfield when the Blues kick-off their season at home to Portsmouth on Sunday.


And Scolari's pursuit of Real Madrid’s Robinho is not making Cole feel any more secure, given the two players‘similar roles. Robinho is keen to move to Chelsea and Scolari is clearly keen to snare him: the club had a bid of £19.7 million for the Brazilian rejected last week but are unlikely to be deterred by price, though Madrid don‘t want to sell.

Meanwhile Liverpool manager Benitez is seeking width for his squad, and the apparent impasse over the protracted Barry saga, with Liverpool refusing to match Aston Villa's £18million valuation for the player, could persuade the Reds to move for Cole - though he is likely to cost even more.

Liverpool are also being linked with another young Hungarian in 17-year old defender Otikba Kenneth.

Dortmund Winger In Liverpool Link

Liverpool head coach Rafa Benitez is set to expand on his squad this summer with a raid on Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund.

Polish international Jakub Błaszczykowski, 22, is linked with a move out the Dortmund exit door and into the Anfield limelight.

His versatility may be an attractive proposition for Benitez as the former Wisla man is equally adept at right back, right wing back, or playing on the right wing.

It is reported that Liverpool will fly representatives to Germany this week in order to thrash out a deal involving an expected £8million fee.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, Borussia's managing director, was dismissive about the prospect of losing Błaszczykowski when questioned by Sport1, he said: “We will not be letting him go. Not for €8m, nor for €18m.”

Rafa Coy On Transfer Talk

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is refusing to be drawn on the continuing transfer speculation surrounding the Anfield club as he prepares for tonight’s Champions League qualifying match against Standard Liege.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s first leg game, Benitez would not be drawn on the proposed Gareth Barry deal which hit the headlines again this weekend, after Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry declared Villa’s price tag to be too high.

“I am not thinking about signing players at the moment, because they cannot play against Liege tomorrow. I am only concentrating on this game,” said Benitez before adding, “And I have not needed to contact the owners because they cannot help with the preparation for this match. I prefer not to say anything else.”

The Liverpool manager’s relationship with the club’s American owners has been the subject of much friction and debate in recent months, yet Benitez insisted that off the field issues were not affecting his preparation for tomorrow night’s game. He confessed: “I have not been distracted, I have been focusing on this game and getting to the Champions League group stages.”

The Anfield club’s finances have been a source of much speculation in recent weeks with reports suggesting Benitez must sell players before he is able to bring in any new ones. Therefore, failure to qualify for the lucrative Champions League would bring untold financial pressures, however Benitez insisted he was not feeling the strain.

“There is no more pressure than in previous seasons, we all know how important it is to get past this qualifying round,” said the Spaniard before declaring, “Everyone knows how important the Champions League is for us, we must play well.”

Whilst Standard Liege are the current Belgian champions, Liverpool are widely expecting to progress and anything but a win will pile huge pressure on Benitez’s shoulders. However, Benitez doesn’t appear to be taking his opponents lightly, he said: “We know Standard are a good team, especially at home.”

One potential problem for the Reds is the likely absence of captain Steven Gerrard for the match, although the new strike force of Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane is expected to start and Benitez appears confident.

“Every club must be aware of the quality of your opponents,” said Benitez before adding, “You must be really focused for every game, you cannot change things once you have made a mistake.”

Yet despite the constant speculation surrounding the club at the moment, Benitez is clearly focused on the job in hand and knows exactly what he wants from his players. A fact he acknowledged by simply stating: “we must make sure that we do qualify for the next stage.”

Benitez: Torres And Keane Will Terrorise Europe

Rafael Benitez is backing Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane to strike terror into defences across Europe this season – starting in Belgium tonight.

Liverpool begin their campaign this evening against Standard Liege in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie.

Benitez is hopeful that Steven Gerrard will have shrugged off a thigh problem to lead his team out at the intimate Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

Keane will make his competitive Liverpool debut alongside Torres in attack following his £19m signing from Tottenham Hotspur last month.

And despite having shared only 90 minutes of time on the pitch together, Benitez reckons his new-look strikeforce can forge a partnership to rival anything in Europe.

“I think they could be as good as it gets in the Champions League,” said the Anfield manager. “They are both in the top-class level and can be as good as anyone. If they play together more games then they can get better and better.

“I would prefer them to have played together more, but we couldn’t with both Torres and Keane coming in late. It wasn’t the ideal situation but I think it could be enough.

“But both Torres and Keane are prepared enough to play well. Little by little they can get better. If one of them or both can play well on Wednesday, then that would be fantastic.

“In the time they have had together they have played well and we have been scoring goals. They need time but we have confidence in them and I think we played well in the last game against Lazio.”

Keane and Torres were employed in the 4-2-3-1 formation Benitez favoured last season during the 4-1 win at Valarenga, with the duo then paired up front in a more conventional 4-4-2 against Lazio last Friday.

And Benitez added: “Both formations were good as the team was playing well and scoring goals. In both positions they were playing well, they are clever players and it doesn’t matter what positions they play in.

“Everyone knows these are good players. The only thing is they haven’t been playing together a long time. They will need time.”

Benitez also shrugged off the speculation over his future that has been rekindled by the stalled attempt to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

“I was really calm last week and really concentrated on the game, we don’t have any big problems,” he said. “I’m being allowed to pick the team without any interference.

“I am not distracted and I am focused on the game.”

Of the Barry saga itself, Benitez added: “If we sign any player he can’t play tomorrow. So I’m not worried about that now, I’m concentrating on this game.”

Benitez intimated he has no qualms in selecting Xabi Alonso, despite the midfielder being ineligible to play for another club in the Champions League this season should he appear tonight.

The Spain international continues to be linked with a move away from Anfield having come close to joining Juventus earlier in the summer.

But Benitez said: “Alonso play… why not? He’s our player, we need him and we’ll use him.”

Rafa Benitez Focused Whatever Standard Of Opposition

On watching his team paired against Liverpool in the Champions League draw, a disbelieving Standard Liege coach László Bölöni admitted to responding with a choice expletive.

Rafael Benitez, though, would be forgiven for muttering a few swear words of his own given the less-than-ideal preparations for tonight’s crucial final qualifying round first leg in Belgium.

From the staggered return to pre-season of his squad, the absence of key players on Olympics duty and the ongoing Gareth Barry saga, things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for the meticulous Spaniard. And while the opposition would appear less foreboding than some of the others Liverpool could have been paired with, Benitez is wary of the threat posed by the Belgian champions.

After all, the sight of UEFA Cup finalists Rangers being dumped out the previous round by FBK Kaunas was a sobering reminder of how the estimated £12million windfall of qualification to the group stages of the Champions League is by no means a formality.

Benitez, though, has good form at this round of the competition. In four previous seasons, the Spaniard has successfully guided Liverpool past Grazer AK, CSKA Sofia, Maccabi Haifa and Toulouse, albeit not without a scare or two.

Indeed, Liverpool have never lost a Champions League qualifier and have won nine of 11 previous games against Belgian opposition, including victory in both legs against Standard in the European Cup Winners Cup in 1965.

But Benitez says: “These games are very dangerous, so we will be very focused on the game.

“The first game is really important. We have the advantage of playing the second leg at Anfield, but if we can have a good result in the first game then it will be better for us.

“I don’t think the financial need to qualify for the group stages puts on any added pressure. Every year it has been the same. We have experience of this in the past, and we’ve always got through, so hopefully we can do the same.

“But every club, the top sides especially, must be aware of the quality of the other teams in this competition. You must be focused for every game and you can’t change things if you make a mistake.”

Benitez has been unable to work with his full squad at any point during the summer and only welcomed back the Spanish contingent a fortnight ago following their Euro 2008 exploits.

He adds: “Pre-season has been difficult with the players having come back at different times, but we’re really pleased with the way the young players have come through and showed their quality, the way the senior players and new players have done and the mood is really good.”

While Liverpool have lost Javier Mascherano, Lucas Leiva and Ryan Babel to Olympic duty in Beijing, Standard Liege have worked a way around the Games.

They were helped by skipper Steven Defour, a 20-year-old midfielder who was awarded the Golden Shoe for the most valuable player in the Belgian League last season, electing not to represent Belgium in China.

Marouane Fellaini, another highly-rated 20-year-old, did make the trip to the Far East. But such is his importance to Standard, the club’s supremo Lucien D’Onofrio sent his private jet to Beijing to collect him specifically for tonight’s match.

Standard ended a 25-year wait to win the league last season, going 31 games unbeaten and losing their only match of the campaign after the championship had already been secured.

“We’ve watched and analysed Standard Liege,” says Benitez. “I haven’t seen too may of their games, but the staff have been watching them and because they have changed the coach we’ll need to see what effect that has.

“They are a good team, and we know they are especially tough when they are playing at home. They are very strong in defence, and don’t concede a lot of goals.

“They might not be used to the Champions League, but they only lost one league game last season and showed their quality.

“Whenever you play away from home in Europe, it’s always difficult.

“We have confidence in our players but when you play against a good team in Europe you need to be careful. We know they lost to St Etienne recently in a friendly but they beat Anderlecht in the (Belgian) Super Cup.”

Standard have had some problems. Dieumerci Mbokani, their Congolese striker, only returned to Belgium on Monday after visiting Africa because of a family bereavement, while Milan Jovanovic, their top scorer from last year and the Belgian footballer of the year, is a target for PSV Eindhoven and may not appear tonight.

Standard’s 29,200-capacity Stade Maurice Dufrasne, known locally as the “Chaudron de Sclessin”, is renowned in Belgium for its intense atmosphere.

And one Liverpool player hopeful of getting a run-out this evening is Andriy Voronin.

The Ukrainian marked his first competitive appearance for the Anfield side last season with a goal in the Champions League qualifier in Toulouse, but went on to endure a disappointing campaign.

Voronin has subsequently been linked with a departure, particularly after the arrival of Robbie Keane. But, after scoring three times in pre-season including the winner against Lazio on Friday, the 29-year-old is vowing to fight for his place.

“I have had a great pre-season run and am the fittest I have ever been,” says Voronin.

“I am really looking forward to this season and know I can do a job for the team.

“It’s not going to be easy for me but I am up for the fight and am working very hard.

“My English has improved and I have settled well in Liverpool. Now I need the chance to prove my quality.”

Kuyt: I'm Really Happy At Anfield

Striker Dirk Kuyt has reiterated how happy he is at Liverpool.

Rafael Benitez was quick to play down media speculation last week linking the player with a move elsewhere - words which came as music to the Dutch international's ears.

"I'm really happy at Liverpool and I want to stay here for as long as the club wants me," Kuyt told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I am really settled here and I like the city. The most important thing is I like the club and I've really enjoyed the two seasons I've been here. The only thing I am missing is some trophies and hopefully that will come in the next year.

"I've never had any intentions of leaving this club. Sometimes things are said in the press but the boss said to me that is not relevant and he wants me here with Liverpool."

The Reds number 18 is now focusing on tonight's Champions League qualifier with Standard Liege, and while the team have been in good form during pre-season, Kuyt insists the hard work starts now against tricky Belgian opposition.

"The team has been working really hard and the new players have adapted well," said the 28-year-old.

"The last three games we have had some good results against Rangers, Valerenga and Lazio, but let's see where we are after this week. If we start well on Wednesday and then against Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, then we will have had a good pre-season.

"We know that we are a good team. We have a lot of confidence and we've just got to show that in the first games of the season.

"I know a bit about Liege. Belgium is close to Holland and I know their league. Maybe it isn't as good as a couple of years ago but they are still a good team with a few talented young players.

"It will definitely be tough for us and hopefully we can get a good result. I think it's really important to have the second game at home. Every team in Europe is difficult to beat but it's good for us because the distance is not too far. Hopefully we can get the result we want and get through to the Champions League.

"This is a really important game for us so early in the season because we know if we were to lose we would be out of the Champions League. That's not what we want because we have had some really good results in that competition over the past few years."

Kuyt has also spoken about his role on the right-hand side of midfield, claiming he would play anywhere for the good of the team.

"I have always played as a striker in my career but in the national team I have played on the right," he added.

"I played there during Euro 2008 for Holland. I'm not really a right winger but I can play it my own way and I like it so far. The last 15 games of last season went really well. We were playing well as a team and I was scoring goals and giving assists.

"As long as I can be important for the team I'm happy to play on the right side. For me the most important thing is winning games and picking up trophies. That is more important to me than being a striker and scoring goals.

"I don't care if I play as a striker, a second striker or a right winger. I just want to play as many games as I can and be important for the team."

Kuyt also welcomed the summer acquisition of Robbie Keane.

"Robbie has so many qualities," he said. "Everyone knows him because he has played at a really good level for many years in the Premier League.

"With the signing of Robbie and the other new players hopefully we can make another good step forward.

"This is going to be my third season with Liverpool and every year the club brings in a new striker. That's Liverpool because the club always wants to progress and always wants to be better. It's a good thing because you have to perform better as well."

Rafael Benitez Still Wants Gareth Barry

Rafael Benítez has declared himself “calm” as Liverpool prepare to start their season this evening with their summer-long pursuit of Gareth Barry still up in the air, but the suspicion remains that this calm could be the prelude to another storm.

Despite his board’s decision to veto an £18 million deal, Benítez is determined to proceed with a deal to sign Barry from Aston Villa and he will urge the club’s American owners to back his judgment once the small matter of tonight’s Champions League qualifying match in Belgium is out of the way.

Benítez refused to be drawn on Barry at last night’s press conference in advance of this evening’s first leg against Standard Liège, the champions of Belgium, saying only that he was “calm” and that he was “concentrating on the game”. But he is known to be unhappy at the refusal of Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr., the owners, to sanction the signing of Barry and will urge them and Rick Parry, the chief executive, to support him by making a restructured bid, aware that the England midfield player may choose to commit his future to Villa if no deal is reached by the weekend.

The proposed signing of Barry has provoked a mixed reaction among Liverpool’s supporters, many of whom were aggrieved by the prospect of selling Xabi Alonso to make way for the Villa player, but Benítez indicated last night that Alonso will play against Standard, which, given that it would render him ineligible to play for any other team in the Champions League, would affect his market value. Benítez appears to have come round to the idea of a squad that would accommodate the vision and artistry of Alonso in addition to the contrasting qualities of Barry, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva.

With Mascherano and Lucas representing Argentina and Brazil respectively at the Olympic Games in Beijing, Benítez was relieved that Gerrard was able to train fully at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne last night. Damien Plessis, the French midfield player, had been on standby to replace Gerrard in a starting line-up that is likely to include two summer signings, Andrea Dossena and Robbie Keane. Despite the absence of another new addition, Philipp Degen, there was no place in the squad for Steve Finnan, who has not travelled with the squad after a fallout with Benítez and is likely to be on his way out of Anfield.

Keane is expected to play just behind, rather than alongside, Fernando Torres in attack on his competitive debut for Liverpool, but Benítez believes that the players can form a strike partnership that will be equal to any in the Champions League this season. “I think so,” the manager said. “The two strikers are top-class and on the same level as anyone. If they play together a lot, I think they can form a really good understanding and then they can go on and get better and better.”

Rafael Benitez Considers Xabi Alonso For Champions League Game With Standard Liege

From Euro 2008 to Wimbledon and the Tour de France, this has been the summer of the Spaniard and here, in a stadium situated between a steelworks and grassed-over slag heaps, Rafael Benitez launched his own quest for glory.

The Champions League is his banker; the tournament that has earned the manager his place in the Liverpool pantheon. Without the two finals and a semi-final, his finishing positions of fifth, third, third and fourth in the Premier League would not have guaranteed his survival.

Liverpool have had to pre-qualify for the Champions League each time and they set out in Liege, a kind of Belgian Sheffield, in a stadium with a hint of Bramall Lane.

There are those who believe that Benitez's fractured relationship with the club's co-owner, Tom Hicks – this time over the inability to fund Gareth Barry's transfer from Aston Villa – means he is unlikely to make it to the Olympic Stadium in Rome, venue for the final and where Liverpool have won two European Cups.

While acknowledging he has the strongest squad in his four years at Anfield, he would not be drawn on his relationship with Hicks. "I'm not thinking about signing players at the moment, because they cannot play against Standard Liege," said Benitez. "I'm only concentrating on this game. And I have not needed to contact the owners because they cannot help with the preparation for this. I prefer not to say anything else."

He suggested he might start Xabi Alonso. Since it was the failure to sell him to Juventus that meant they were unable to meet Aston Villa's asking price for Barry, that would be a significant decision. Were Benitez to try to sell the Basque now or in January, he would be cup-tied for the Champions League and his value reduced. Steve Finnan, another whose future is uncertain, did not even travel with the squad.

Steven Gerrard has been passed fit, with Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane poised to start their first competitive match together.

Team details (probable)

Standard Liege (4-4-2): Espinosa; Marcos, Sarr, Fellaini, Dante; Witsel, Defour, Toama, Dalmat; De Marmargo, Mbokani.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena; Kuyt, Alonso, Gerrard, Benayoun; Keane, Torres.

English Giants Wary Of Slipping Up

Premier League giants Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC begin their assault on the UEFA Champions League tonight, and both can expect serious tests as they target group-phase berths.

Arsenal travel to face FC Twente on Wednesday, before hosting the Eredivisie side a fortnight later, and manager Arsène Wenger knows his players will have to be focused if they are to emerge triumphant. "When you go to Holland, you get a game – it's a football country," he said. "The clubs are always well organised and we will be favourites. It will be important for us to be at the top of our concentration to go through."

The Gunners were in the Netherlands on pre-season duty and had to come back from two goals down to beat AFC Ajax on Friday, winning 3-2 against the side Twente pipped in a play-off to claim their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round place. And with former England manager Steve McClaren in the dugout, the Enschede outfit will have added motivation. "It is a good opportunity for him to show his quality," added Wenger, whose Arsenal side beat McClaren's Middlesbrough FC 7-0 the last time the pair locked horns in January 2006. "He will want to show that he can bounce back and show his quality."

Liverpool also contest their first leg away from home as they face R. Standard de Liège on the same night. The two sides previously met in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup during the 1965/66 campaign, with Liverpool claiming a comfortable 5-2 aggregate win. Yet the Merseysiders' coach Rafael Benítez knows not to take the Belgian champions lightly. "People may say it's a kind draw for us but we will treat them with respect," said the Spaniard. "They have not played in the group stages of the Champions League before so they will be keen to change that. Also, they will have the confidence of champions after winning their title."

Benítez's cause could be complicated by an injury to talismanic captain Steven Gerrard, who suffered a thigh strain during a friendly with Vålerenga IF and may not be risked. The five-time European champions will also be without Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel, all of whom are competing at the Olympics.

Premier League Season Preview: The Big Four

Following on from our look at each individual Premier League club, Luke Simmons compares and contrasts the fortunes of the 'big four'.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool comprise the biggest names in English football, some of the greatest in Europe, and four of the most reowned names in the Wworld. But what does this new season hold for each team? Every season each team set out knowing that they have a massive chance of winning a major trophy, but with only four pieces of silverware up for grabs, none of them intend on settling for one cup each…

MANCHESTER UNITED

The Red Devils have enjoyed two brilliant seasons in recent years, following up their 2007 league victory with the historic double of 2008. They have the best player on the planet in Ronaldo, who was simply outstanding last season, and they have the most successful manager in Premier League history. But everything is not so perfect down at Old Trafford: the just-concluded ‘will he, wont he’ transfer saga of Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid stretched nearly all summer long and left a bitter taste in the mouths of many fans. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that, if Ronaldo did leave Man Utd, they certainly would not be the force they were last season. On the other side things have been slow:Sir Alex has been quiet in the transfer market so far, only bringing in Davide Petrucci. But no doubt about it, the champions will be up for retaining their trophy for a third season in a row.

And the bookies have them in pole position to do just that, with one leading bookmaker putting them at 11/8 favourites to rule in England yet again. Not a surprise to anyone that they are the favourites, with ten League titles under his belt, Sir Alex will be confident of securing his 11th this season, especially with wonder boy Ronaldo staying at Old Trafford. Their fast paced style of play ripped teams apart last season, and while Ronaldo was obviously the man who grabbed the headlines the link-up play between Rooney and Tevez was incredible. Two results that stuck out last season were the Newcastle games, home and away, in which United 11 goals all together, with a 5-1 away win and an incredible 6-0 home win. If they can keep producing this type of football this season, does anyone else really stand a chance?

CHELSEA

The London club are yet again going through another managerial change, their fourth in five years, with new boss Felipe Scolari taking charge of the Blues this season. The new coach has been quick to bring in players who he has managed in the past, with Jose Bosingwa and Deco being added to the squad, with a cost of over £23 million for the pair. After their heartbreaking defeat in the Champions league final in Moscow to bitter rivals Manchester United last season, they will be looking for revenge this time around. They will surely be contenders for every trophy, and with their strong but fluent style of play they are a good bet for silverware this season. Can Scolari be the man to make the Chelsea fans forget about Jose Mourinho? Only time will tell, but I myself believe they can win either the Premier League, or the Champions League next season, or even both.

The bookies have Chelsea the second favourites for the league, at 7/4. The experience Chelsea have is phenomenal: some may argue that they are an ageing side, Sir Alex among them, but I see them as experienced, and with players like Ballack, Lampard, Deco and Terry, no wonder they are a strong favourite for the League. What's more, they are determined: their strength and willingness to win games showed towards the end of last season, taking the League to the last day, when many wrote them off months before. Scolari has promised more entertaining football at Stamford Bridge this season, but if I was a Chelsea fan, I wouldn’t be too concerned about the way they play, just as long as they keep up their fantastic record of winning borne of Roman Abramovich's takeover in 2003. Expect a few more names coming in for Chelsea until the end of the transfer window: rumours keep circulating regarding the possibility of Kaka joining the Blues. Whether it's true of not is another matter, but one thing's for sure: if anyone has the funds to bring Kaka in, it's Chelsea.

ARSENAL

After a summer of rumours, with many big name players being linked with a move away from North London, Arsenal look set to start the new season with belief and hope in their young but experienced side. The losses of Mathieu Flamini and Alex Hleb this summer has left a big hole in the Arsenal midfield, but with Welsh teenager Aaron Ramsey, French attacker Samir Nasri and Portuguese starlet Amaury Bischoff being added to the squad, are Arsenal really any weaker than last year? Another new name who is making the headlines in pre-season is Mexican striker Carlos Vela, the teenager finally joining up with the Gunners after two seasons out on loan waiting for a work permit. Last term was a bittwesweet one: they finished third in the league, four points off being the champions, and reached the quarter finals of the Champions league, where they were knocked out by Liverpool in a controversial manner. Arsene Wenger will want to get off to a good start to the Premier League campaign, and with new boys West Brom their first opponents next week at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal should do just that. If the Gunners weren’t so unlucky with injuries last season, maybe it would have been them lifting the Premier league trophy instead of arch rivals Man Utd, but Arsenal have to forget about last year and their young squad needs to push on for glory this term. They should have the strength to do so: the way I see it, these kids are becoming adults, and very talented adults at that.

Arsenal are the third favourites for the league, behind Manchester United and Chelsea, with the odds-makers putting them at 5/1 to lift the trophy. Not a bad bet, considering they finished only four points behind the winners last season. Wenger has said he is looking to bring in one more experienced midfielder, and if he succeeds with this purchase, the Gunners will be, in my view, stronger than they were last year. Some say they play the best Football in the league, but their inability to finish games off cost them dearly at times last season, but if they can fix this fault in their game, I’m sure they can surprise many people next year by winning a major trophy. Like I said, the young Guns are ready to step up to the plate, and with players like Cesc Fabregas, who constantly pledges his future to the club, I wouldn’t bet against them this year.

LIVERPOOL

It’s been a busy summer for Liverpool Football Club, with seven names coming in, including £20.3 Million signing Robbie Keane from Tottenham Hotspur. He'll surely form a mouth-watering partnership with Fernando Torres up front, but perhaps the one player Rafa wants the most, Gareth Barry, is still yet to put pen to paper. It’s been the most complicated transfer saga of the summer so far, and it’s still going on, with the American owners of Liverpool now refusing to pay the asking price for the England midfielder. At the other end, the Reds have let nine players leave the club this summer, Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch being among those names. With all this uncertainty surrounding the Barry saga aside, Liverpool will be hoping to end a nineteen year wait and finally win the Premier league. You can ask any Liverpool fan, what would they most want to achieve this season, and you will get the same answer every time - win the League. So, is this finally Liverpool’s year? If Steven Gerrard can produce what he normally does, and Fernando Torres can achieve the same number of goals as last season, along with Robbie Keane who also has an eye for goal, maybe this season belongs to the red half of Merseyside.

The bookmakers have them at 6/1 fourth favourites to win the League, behind the ‘big three’. But the hopes are high amongst the Liverpool faithful, they believe this is the year they can crack the Premier League code, they believe Torres and Keane is the perfect partnership to do just that. The thing that has let the Reds down in the past is consistency, they can’t seem to keep up a patch of good form in the league, right till the end, but they can in Europe, something that’s puzzled many people over the years. If they can dominate the European stage, why not England? I think it shows just how hard it is to win the Premier League, but Liverpool simply have to win it soon, they need that significant trophy added to their tremendous collection, Plus, Manchester United, their most hated rivals, are catching them up on League titles overall.

Rafa Benitez Seeks Showdown With Liverpool Board

Rafa Benitez wants showdown talks with Liverpool's American owners in the hope of resurrecting the Gareth Barry deal.

The Anfield boss is focused on the Champions' League clash with Standard Liege in Belgium tomorrow, as Liverpool pursue a place in the group stages.

When he returns, Benitez will want to know why the club agreed to meet Aston Villa's £18million valuation of Barry a week ago, but now feel the price is too high.

Barry flies out with Villa tomorrow for Thursday's UEFA Cup qualifying round game at Icelandic minnows FH Hafnarfjordur - and if he plays, would be cup-tied.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "He's our player. If Gareth is still our player on Wednesday morning, he's as good a chance of climbing on the team bus as anybody."

Benitez To Gamble On Gerrard To Secure Champions League Place

Rafael Benitez is ready to risk Steven Gerrard in his attempts to secure qualification for the Champions League group stages.

The Liverpool manager has been hampered in his preparations for tomorrow’s third qualifying round tie at Standard Liege and faces a crippling midfield shortage.

Gerrard is struggling to shake off a thigh strain while Benitez is still being foiled in his attempts to sign Gareth Barry after the club admitted they wouldn’t meet Aston Villa’s asking price.

And the absence of Javier Mascherano and Lucas will continue into next week as they have both helped Argentina and Brazil, respectively, to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympics football tournament in Beijing.

That means the only fully fit central midfielders available are Xabi Alonso and

Damien Plessis – who has looked impressive in pre-season but only has two first team appearances to his name and none in Europe.

With a tricky away leg looming against the Belgian champions, Benitez is giving his captain every chance to prove his fitness and he will fly out with the squad this morning.

“I was talking with him this morning and he will go with us to Belgium,” said Benitez.

“He is progressing really well but we will check after training. I will speak with the doctor and with Steven and then decide.”

Being backed into that position will only increase Benitez’s frustration as he faces up to kicking off the season at Sunderland on Saturday without Barry.

He wants to concentrate on the Liege tie in the next two days but after tomorrow’s game he is set to seek further talks with American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks regarding the direction of his transfer business in the remainder of the window.

But another nail in the coffin of the Barry deal could be struck by Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill on Thursday if he plays his skipper in the Uefa Cup

Villa to take on Icelandic side FH Hafnarfjordur in the second qualifying round and an appearance by Barry would leave him cup-tied for the Champions League.

O’Neill said: “He’s our player and though things could change, if Gareth is still our player on Wednesday morning, he’s as good a chance of climbing on the bus as anybody.”

The uncertainty surrounding Barry’s status has disrupted Villa’s preparations and with O’Neill keen to see a conclusion to the saga, dropping his £18m valuation remains an outside possibility.

It is the only way Liverpool will be able to now complete the signing of Barry.

Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Philip Degen won’t be joining Gerrard on the flight to Belgium.

“Martin and Fabio are training with us but they will stay here,” added Benitez. “They are not ready for this game but hopefully both will be available for the weekend.

“Philip isn’t training with us yet and is a little behind the other two.”

Another defender, Miki Roque, has gone on loan to Spanish side Futbol Club Cartagena for the rest of the season.

Optimistic Benitez Delighted With Liverpool Squad

The headline-grabbing signing of Robbie Keane has stirred Liverpool fans into their annual bout of anticipation that this could be the year they win the title for the first time since 1990.

Irish captain Keane cost Liverpool 20 million pounds ($38.56 million) when he signed from Tottenham Hotspur and promises to be the perfect foil for last season's spectacular success story Fernando Torres.

The Spanish Euro 2008 winner scored 33 goals in his debut Anfield campaign, with little striking support, to become an instant hero of the Kop.

Manager Rafael Benitez has moved to ease the pressure on Torres by bringing in Keane to play a support role that should ensure plenty of goals.

Keane scored 23 goals for Spurs last season and although he admits he was happy at the London side he could not resist the chance of joining the club he supported as a boy.

Benitez, who has also spent the off-season chasing Aston Villa's holding midfielder Gareth Barry, is still hoping the England international will sign before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Although he is making no predictions about Liverpool winning the title, he is optimistic about the season.

"I am confident about my squad and I am happy that we have the best squad since I arrived at Anfield," he told the Daily Mirror newspaper.

"The key is not to say we will win the title, because the Premier League is now the best, and most difficult, in Europe.

"Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are the best in Europe, but my belief is unshakeable that we can compete with them."

However, despite the arrival of Keane and Benitez's optimism, Liverpool still look short of matching the leading trio.

Benitez admitted at the start of the break that he needed a top-quality left winger and has failed to fill that gap, while the central defence is an area that could be left short if injuries hit.

Right back Philipp Degen has come in from Borussia Dortmund and Andrea Dossena has joined from Udinese as the new left back, with John Arne Riise moving to Roma.

The transitional nature of Liverpool's defence could be their Achilles heel as they go in search of the title that has eluded them for so long.

DIC Back In The Frame

Reports from the Middle East indicate that Dubai International Capital (DIC) are ready to re-launch their Liverpool takeover bid, as tensions mount between manager Rafael Benitez and the club's current owners.

DIC attempted to take control of the Merseyside club in March, but their £400million bid was rebuffed despite the widening rift between co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The Arab firm had planned to buy out Gillett's majority stake with the aim of then challenging Hicks for sole ownership by offering up cash for the club's new stadium, which the Americans have so far struggled to do.

But Hicks, the more prominent of the co-owners, vetoed that deal and relations have since improved between him and his business partner.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the pair's associations with Benitez.

The Spanish tactician has had to operate under strict sell-before-buy guidelines in the transfer market, and to his credit had been doing so with a minimum of fuss as he offloaded the likes of John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch before signing Andrea Dossena and Robbie Keane.

However, Benitez had been under the impression that he would be allowed to fork out the £18million required to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa without selling Xabi Alonso, whose proposed move to Juventus collapsed earlier in the summer.

Either the owners have reneged on their promise or a massive miscommunication has occurred, because Hicks and Gillett have told the manager that Barry is not needed while Alonso is still in the squad.

It is not the first time during the Americans' short reign at the club that Benitez has been told certain targets are off-limits, and this latest case will only further infuriate both he and the fans - who, despite their backing of Alonso, have been equally supportive of Rafa's designs for the team's progress.

Hence, a DIC takeover would be widely welcomed, and Dubai newspaper The National claims that the firm are set to refresh their bid.

A source close to the DIC directors said: "Just because it is has been a quiet summer does not mean DIC have lost interest. They are happy that things have now become low key, and they are awaiting developments."

Keane - Liverpool Plus Barry To Win League

Sunderland manager Roy Keane believes Liverpool will be favourites for the Premier League title should they secure the signing of Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry.

In a saga to match that of Cristiano Ronaldo's mooted move to Real Madrid, Villa have rejected three offers from The Reds as they hold out for the £18 million asking price they have placed on the 27-year old's head.

Should a deal be completed, it will not be the first big-money arrival at Anfield following the £20 million purchase of Robbie Keane, but The Black Cats manager believes Barry could be the final piece in the jigsaw as Liverpool aim to end their long wait for the league title.

“They have to beat the Uniteds, Chelseas and Arsenals to win a trophy. They haven’t done that in recent seasons - it’s as simple as that," Keane said.

“That’s why they have paid £19m for Robbie and are ready to buy again with Gareth Barry.”

“They are both very good players and you need these sort of players to win crunch games. That is why they are going for big money.”

“Trust me, if Liverpool win the league this season they won’t look back and say they spent over the odds for Robbie Keane.

“When Chelsea were winning trophies nobody mentioned to Mourinho how much he had spent.

“Of course I would have taken Robbie in a flash. He would certainly bring something to our team - without a shadow of a doubt.

“My job is to get Sunderland into the top six and playing European football so that we can attract the Robbie Keanes of this world.”

Liverpool Deny Rift About Barry

Liverpool have denied there is a rift between manager Rafa Benitez and the club's American owners over the proposed signing of Gareth Barry.

Yet chief executive Rick Parry has confirmed that owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks think Aston Villa's £18m asking price for Barry is inflated.

"On this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high," Parry said.

Benitez has made no secret of his eagerness to add the England international to his squad.

Reports had claimed Benitez was at odds with Hicks and Gillett over the player's signing. This is not about questioning the manager's judgement or the ability of a particular player

Benitez was said to be willing to pay the £18m asking price for Barry, while the American owners believed it was too much for the 27-year-old.

But Liverpool issued a statement on their website late on Saturday in which Parry said: "This is not about questioning the manager's judgement or the ability of a particular player.

"The owners have clearly demonstrated throughout the year they are willing to back Rafa in the transfer market and will continue to do so.

"It is obviously the selling club's prerogative to put whatever price they want on the player, but on this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high."

After Liverpool beat Lazio 1-0 in a friendly on Friday, Benitez reiterated his desire to sign Barry.

"The situation is not a question of money," he said. "He is English and can play three different positions, but I am talking about someone who can play on the left."

Barry can play in central midfield, on the left side of midfield and at left-back.

Benitez Won't Change Much For Liege

Rafa Benitez has revealed his starting XI against Standard Liege on Wednesday is unlikely to differ too much from that which took to the field against Lazio.

Most of the club's big guns were on display on Friday night, aside from our three Olympians and Steven Gerrard, who faces a race against time to be fit for the Belgium trip due to a thigh strain.

If the skipper doesn't recover in time, it could be Damien Plessis who again fills the midfield void.

Benitez said: "More or less the side that played against Lazio will be the one that plays in the Champions League on Wednesday in Belgium.

"Most of the senior players were involved, this will be the side that plays against Standard Liege.

"The situation has been very difficult for us, we have had a lot of players returning to training late after international games in the summer and now we have players at the Olympics.

"It has given me a chance to see the young players during pre-season, and I am sure that the future of the club is guaranteed.

"I believe we are ready for the Champions League tie, the experienced players are ready. But we know that we have quality from the young players.

"I have not decided whether any more will go out on loan, it depends on whether we sell anyone else. If we do not bring anyone else in, maybe we do not need to loan any of the youngsters."

Keane Eyes CL Proper After Home Bow

Robbie Keane claims he will never forget the night he first stepped out in front of the Kop wearing a red shirt - and the Irishman now has his sights on another career landmark.

It is well-documented that the Dublin-born striker grew up dreaming of emulating the likes of Ian Rush and John Aldridge by leading Liverpool's attack at Anfield.

After three run-outs on the road, Keane finally made his home bow against Lazio on Friday night, and though he didn't mark it with a goal, the 28-year-old insists it was just how he imagined.

"It was nice to get my Anfield debut - it was a childhood dream," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "It was great to step out and look at the Kop – it's something I've always dreamed of, you know. It is something I will never forget.

"It's nice to get it out of the way, but obviously the most important thing is the win. That gives us confidence going into next week and all the players are now looking forward to the challenge of the Champions League and Premier League."

Next up for Keane is a trip to Belgium for Wednesday night's Champions League third qualifying round.

The Republic of Ireland captain has never appeared in the competition proper and doesn't intend to let the chance of doing so in 2008-09 slip away.

"Of course I'm looking forward to Champions League football. Liverpool is a massive club and we're expected to beat teams, so I'm looking forward to the challenge," he said.

"I certainly am ready. Ask any player and they'll tell you that pre-season is just about getting fitness. Now the real business starts.

"Whenever Liverpool were playing in the Champions League or in a game which had no effect on Tottenham, I'd be cheering them on.

"The Champions League is part of why I wanted to come here. This is my opportunity now.

"I've not had a chance to go to any European games at Anfield since I was a kid.

"Once you're playing it becomes difficult, especially when I was playing in the UEFA Cup with Spurs, which would usually be a day later.

"I'm looking forward to every game, whether we're playing Manchester United or Wycombe away in the cup, but obviously I can't wait for the Champions League."

The Lazio friendly provided a third opportunity for Keane and Torres to acquaint themselves with one another.

Though still to get off the mark since signing from Spurs, the new boy feels an understanding is already developing – and predicts the duo will be firing on all cylinders sooner rather than later.

"It's only going to get better as we play games and get to know each other. As the games go along we will get better and hopefully we can score a lot of goals together for this club."

U-18S Crash To Opening Defeat

There was disappointment for Liverpool Under-18s as they lost 3-0 to Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol in their opening game of the Villarreal tournament.

Nathan Eccleston had a great chance in the opening minute of the game when he found himself clean through but was denied by a good save, and that was at good as it got for Liverpool.

Hughie McAuley then suffered a blow when German Christopher Buchtmann was forced to leave the field after 10 minutes with a knee injury.

"We made some poor mistakes and I have to say that on the night they were better than us," McAuley told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"We didn't play as well as we have been doing in pre-season and we didn't pass the ball like we normally do.

"We created some decent chances but Nathan and Marvin Pourie couldn't take them and we gave away some poor goals.

"I will be looking for a response from the players when we face Real Madrid tonight. That will be a big test for us."

Liverpool team: Chris Oldfield, Jack Metcalf, Christopher Buchtmann (Michael Roberts 10), Andre Wisdom (Under-16), Joe Kennedy, Astrit Ajdarevic, David Amoo (James Ellison 83), Adam Pepper, Lauri Dalla Valle (Marvin Pourie 45), Nathan Eccleston, Alex Kacaniklic (Thomas Ince 65).

Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt Praises Recent Signings - Striker Unlikely To Make Hamburg Move

Amid a cloud of rumours of his possible exit from the club, Liverpool Kuyt has come forward to praise Rafael Benitez’s summer signings.

The Reds have included five new faces to the team so far in the season, namely Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane, David N’Gog from P.S.G, Andrea Dossena from Udinese, plus Phillip Degen and goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri.

Kuyt, who has been linked with a move away from Anfield to SV Hamburg, which is now coached by former Tottenham Hotspur boss Martin Jol, is now expected to stay at Liverpool for the coming season.

28-year-old Kuyt is excited about the coming Premier League season, saying to the official Liverpool website: "The new players have come in and all done well.

"It is always good to have a few new faces in the group and hopefully we have made them feel welcome also. Sometimes you only need a few changes to make a big difference and hopefully the players who have been signed will help us achieve that.

"We already had a really strong team and now we have added to what we had so that can only be a good thing", added the Dutch international striker.

Xabi Alonso Could Still Be Sold Says Rafa Benitez

Rafael Benitez is still refusing to rule out the possibility that he could sell Xabi Alonso - despite the astonishing support the midfielder has received from Liverpool fans.

But the Anfield boss, who also insists that “Liverpool are ready for the Champions League” next week, maintains Alonso will only leave now if the club receives a massive offer for his services.

Benitez is still embroiled in the Gareth Barry saga, despite failing to receive financial backing from the club’s American owners and their support for the £18million transfer.

And he clearly needs money to continue his stubborn pursuit of the Aston Villa midfielder just a week away from the Premier League opening weekend.

Benitez also acknowledges the clear support for Alonso from the Liverpool fans, and their obvious distaste for the Barry deal voiced during last night’s 1-0 friendly win over Lazio at Anfield.

But not even that reaction from the fans will make Benitez confirm that Alonso will not be sold.

Benitez said: “We knew Alonso was a very good player and as a result he had a good price (on his head). We had offers, but they were not enough so we decided he needed to stay with us.

“It could be that he does stay with us.

“For me it is not a problem if he stays or not. He can stay, we always have felt he is a good player.

“We are only talking about a very, very good price. He is a good player, if he is not going to bring a good price then it is very simple, easy to understand.

“I heard the crowd, obviously. We know now, as we knew before, that he could stay with us.”

Andriy Voronin’s winner against the Italians could also be his last for the club, because Benitez clearly is looking to sell to fund the Barry deal.

It comes as no surprise to anyone who has followed the saga of the Americans’ ownership to discover that money is not readily available and new objections to a deal are being placed on Benitez at a very late stage of negotiations.

He added: “It is not positive that we may not have the players we want here before the Champions League game. But the transfer window closes at the end of August, we will try to do our best to bring in the players to improve us by then.

“I try to do the best for my club with the possibilities that you have, I have done this every since I have been here. And I am trying to do the same for this coming season.

“I do not feel any more pressure, every season is the same. We have a good squad, better than before, but we can improve a little bit more.”

Benitez obviously intends to continue his master-plan to recruit Barry, who he sees as a player who can fill three different roles. Barry can play central midfield, left side of midfield or left-back.

The 28-year-old will probably not be there in Belgium next Wednesday for the Champions League third qualifying round first leg against Standard Liege.

But after seeing his squad stay unbeaten in eight pre-season friendlies, Benitez believes they are ready for the demands of making sure Liverpool reach the Champions League group stages.

He said: “More or less the side that played against Lazio will be the one that plays in the Champions League on Wednesday in Belgium.

“Most of the senior players were involved, this will be the side that plays against Standard Liege.

“The situation has been very difficult for us, we have had a lot of players returning to training late after international games in the summer and now we have players at the Olympics.

“It has given me a chance to see the young players during pre-season, and I am sure that the future of the club is guaranteed.

“I believe we are ready for the Champions League tie, the experienced players are ready. But we know that we have quality from the young players.

“I have not decided whether any more will go out on loan, it depends on whether we sell anyone else. If we do not bring anyone else in, maybe we do not need to add anyone or loan any of the youngsters.”

Benitez now will determinedly continue his chase for Barry, with the risk that he could find himself again at loggerheads with Liverpool’s owners.

Last time that happened his outbursts almost cost him his job. This time around he is more aware of how far he can go with any defiance. But he still wants Barry.

Tellingly, Benitez said after the Lazio game: “(This deal) is not about money.

“We have a good player(Alonso) and we have another good player coming in soon.

“We can improve the squad, so we will try to do that. We will bring in one more player if we can.

“Who comes in? It could be another left-sided player rather than a central midfielder.

“The player I want can play in three different positions, that is a positive thing. I am talking about one player, but I won’t say the name.

“He is English and he can three different positions, but I am talking about someone who can play on the left.”