Rafa Eyes Taylor As Three Keepers Set To Leave Liverpool

Premier League survivors Fulham have joined the race to sign Scott Carson, who is set to be one of three goalkeepers to leave Liverpool this summer.

Anfield manager Rafa Benitez will try to sign Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor as back-up for Pepe Reina.

Reina's current deputy, Charles Itandje, has been told he will be allowed to find another club, while young prospect David Martin will go out on loan next season to gain experience.

Liverpool's £10 million asking price for Carson has been rebuffed by Aston Villa, where the England goalkeeper has spent the past year on loan.

But Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed would be interested at a more realistic price, with both his current goalkeepers Kasey Keller and Antti Niemi in their thirties.

Carson does not want to spend next season at Anfield as Reina's deputy. Martin is seen by Benitez as a goalkeeper of the future, but needs regular first-team matches.

Championship side Watford, who missed out on promotion after losing 4-1 in the playoffs at Hull on Wednesday night, lead the chase.

Frenchman Itandje has been told to find a new club in the summer after a season of disaster at Anfield.

He kept only one clean sheet in seven games after signing from Lens.

Pennant Out, Bentley In - Report

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has been added to the casualty list at Anfield this summer, as Rafa Benitez prepares a summer overhaul of his squad.

The 25-year-old was told yesterday that he is free to leave and can start talking to other clubs, joining the likes of Andriy Voronin, Peter Crouch and Scott Carson on Rafa’s scrapheap.

The former Arsenal man is a long-term target of both Newcastle and West Ham, and they may have to fork out in the region of ₤7 million as Benitez seeks to recoup what he paid Birmingham City for the player in 2006.

Pennant has impressed in spurts during his time on Merseyside, an excellent run of form during the second half of the 2006-07 season culminating in a brilliant showing during the Champions League in Athens, where the Reds lost 2-1 to AC Milan.

But injuries have ravaged Pennant’s season, as he suffered dual stress-fractures in his shins earlier in the term and has struggled to regain his place since due to the all-action efforts of Dirk Kuyt on the right side of attack.

The former Notts County youth did impress recently in Liverpool’s lame-duck league fixtures, putting in a match-winning performance against Fulham and a match-saving turn against his old club at St Andrew’s.

But he was absent from the squad for the final two games of the season against Manchester City and Tottenham, signalling the almost-certain demise of his Anfield career.

Pennant has been offered as a makeweight in Benitez's bid to bring Gareth Barry to Anfield, but his exit could also facilitate a move for fellow Arsenal product David Bentley, who has long been linked with Liverpool.

Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes remains steadfast in his desire to keep hold of his star winger, and Benitez may have to devote a hefty portion of his transfer budget to secure the England international, ₤15 million being touted as the going rate.

Reports: Dossena Set For Reds

With Rafa Benítez having already lined-up one new full-back in Swiss right-back Philipp Degen, the Liverpool boss is now linked with another in Italian left-back Andrea Dossena.

26-year-old Dossena made his one-and-only international appearance for the World Champions in a friendly against South Africa last October, getting the assist for Lucarelli’s only goal of the game. Italy coach Roberto Donadoni still hasn’t named his squad for the Euro 2008 finals and is giving little away as to who might be in it, but the Udinese number 8 will consider himself a possibility.

Tottenham have been linked with the Udinese defender too, but are no longer believed to be interested. The fee quoted in reports linking him with Spurs was £8m. Reports in the Italian press claim a deal with Liverpool is close, saying Liverpool have already agreed personal terms with the player’s agent, Federico Pastorello, and are now talking to Udinese about the fee.

Udinese director general Pietro Leonardi played down the links yesterday: “We have always said that we will not change the team. For Dossena to Liverpool there is nothing concrete, he has a contract with us until 2012 and the rest is speculation.”

Dossena has been with Udinese since 2006, and has had two red cards so far in this Italian season, which ends tomorrow. Udinese visit AC Milan who are hoping for three points and favours elsewhere to get them a Champions League qualifying spot. Udinese will finish in at least seventh place and have already qualified for the UEFA Cup.

With Liverpool set to release John Arne Riise and Fabio Aurelio’s Anfield career so far suffering numerous injury-related interruptions the need for a quality left-back isn’t in doubt. Emiliano Insua is still considered one for the future, but can expect more involvement next season than this.

John Aldridge: Time For Liverpool To Make The Also-rans Pay

Liverpool may not have won any trophies in the season just ended but they can take great consolation in the fact that they made plenty of progress this season.

Everyone picks out statistics to prove their point of view but for me the one that stands out is that Liverpool lost fewer games in the league than Manchester United.

It's a long time since that happened and you have to go back many years to the last time Liverpool only lost four games in an entire season, and that suggests to me that they are not all that far away.

The only thing that prevented a genuine title challenge was that they had too many draws.

When you play teams from lower down the division, the likes of Wigan and Birmingham, you have to make the most of your superiority by making sure you beat them.

If you manage to do that then you give yourselves a platform to build from and it also helps create a momentum which can carry you all the way to the top.

That's what United are so good at. If they play an inferior side at Old Trafford they invariably beat them and that gives them an advantage in the race for the title.

The big problem for Liverpool was that they had a sticky spell just after Christmas where they drew far too many games which they should have won.

If Rafa Benitez and his players think back to this run they will know in their hearts that they should have picked up more than just four points from away games at Manchester City and Middlesbrough and home games against Aston Villa and Wigan.

Had Liverpool turned their dominance of these fixtures into points it would have made a major difference to their season.

That's how small the gap is between success and failure at the top level and if you don't make your superiority pay you can be sure that someone else will make you suffer for it.

But the progress has been there for all to see and the spine of this Liverpool side is among the best around.

Now the challenge for the manager is to build on what he has accomplished so far and do whatever it takes to ensure Liverpool are in the shake up for the title at the absolute least next season.

It is easy to identify the parts of the team that Rafa Benitez must strengthen this summer - the wide areas.

That has been the main weakness of this Liverpool side for some time and if Benitez can address this problem I believe it will make a massive difference.

In the last 12 months HeBenitez has recruited really well with the likes of Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and Martin Skrtel coming into the side and making a real difference.

Lucas and Ryan Babel may not have done quite as well, but they are young players who will hopefully fulfil their potential in the years to come and the only really disappointing signing has been Andriy Voronin, who just hasn't got going.

Benitez knows that if he has another good summer in the transfer market it could make all the difference to his team and I've got no doubt he'll pull out all the stops to bring in the players he has identified.

It will be another interesting close season at Anfield and I'm sure there will be a few going as well as coming in, but if Benitez gets the balance right it could set things up nicely for next season.

When it comes to naming Liverpool's player of the season there is one man who stands head and shoulders above all others - Fernando Torres.

And what a tribute that is when you consider Torres features in a team with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Javier Mascherano.

He has been showered with tributes all season long and quite rightly so because you have to be something special to achieve as much as he has in his first season in English football.

And the best thing is I'm convinced Torres will only get better.

What a terrifying thought that is for Premiership defences and what a brilliant thought it is for Liverpool fans.

Holidays On Hold As Rafa Benitez Eyes Liverpool Transfer Targets

Rafael Benitez will put his summer holidays temporarily on hold as he oversees Liverpool’s squad rebuilding plans.

With his team’s season having finished at the weekend, the Anfield manager is hopeful of securing at least two new signings during the next fortnight.

Swiss international right-back Philipp Degen is already set to join Liverpool on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund when his contract expires in the close season.

And the move for Gareth Barry could come closer to fruition in the next day, with Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill and owner Randy Lerner set for discussions with the player.

Barry, who is desperate to play Champions League football, is expected to tell Villa that he cannot pass up the opportunity of a move to Anfield.

Villa would then be left with no option but to consider Liverpool’s offer of a cash-plus-player deal worth £10m, with the Midlanders given a choice of Jermaine Pennant, Scott Carson or John Arne Riise.

When Benitez finally drags himself away from his desk, he admits it will be rather more difficult to part him from his mobile phone.

However, the Spaniard reckons he could be left retrieving it from deep waters if his wife Montse finds him conducting deals while on holiday.

“I don’t tend to have too much time away from football, but I will try to switch off for a bit,” said Benitez. “I will have to try to hide my mobile phone, and if my wife can’t find out about it I’ll try and keep it on me.

“But if she finds it, I’m sure she will throw it in the swimming pool!

“I don’t like the beach too much, but I don’t mind being around a swimming pool or maybe going up in the mountains.”

Even when Benitez manages to find a quiet place to relax, it has previously proven impossible to totally escape the attention of Liverpool fans.

“When you are at such a big club as Liverpool, everybody knows who you are and it’s not easy to get away from people on holiday,” said the Spaniard.

“Last summer, I was by the swimming pool and a kid was playing football wearing a Liverpool cap. He passed the ball and it came to me, so I tried to dribble it past him, and we were playing for five minutes.

“After we’d finished, his father spoke to him and said ‘do you know who that is?’ The kid says ‘is it a Liverpool player?’ and his dad replies ‘no, it’s the manager!’.

“So after that he was with me playing football the whole week! He was the only one who hadn’t recognised me, and he was wearing a Liverpool cap!”

Meanwhile, Fernando Torres has paid tribute to the Liverpool fans at the end of his record-breaking debut season at Anfield.

The Spain international capped a brilliant first campaign at the club with his 24th league goal of the season at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to make him the country’s most successful ever foreign debutant.

And Torres said: “The supporters back the players, regardless of who is out on the pitch. They enjoy watching their key players play, because Liverpool has great players, but Liverpool will always be a team.

“The fans get behind the side even when things are not working out, and they are always there until the death.

“That is the major difference with football back in Spain. If a team is not doing well, then it is because the players do not deserve to be wearing the club’s colours.

“At Liverpool, if a player is wearing their shirt, it is because he deserves it. The fans ask for effort and dedication, and their support is something special, something that stays with you.

“Luckily, everything has worked out well from day one, and my team-mates have helped out, and I owe them all an awful lot.”

Rafa Benitez Insists That New Assistant Lee Has More To Offer Than Just Anfield Connections

Rafael Benitez insisted it was more than just the Scouse connection that secured Sammy Lee the job as his assistant manager.

The Liverpool manager said that Lee, who was unveiled as his number two yesterday, was his first choice regardless of the fact that he became an Anfield legend both as a player and as a coach.

“He is a very experienced and very well respected coach in his own right and his reputation in football made him the outstanding candidate when we knew we were looking for a new member of our coaching staff,” Benitez said.

“We are very pleased because he is someone who knows the club really well.

“He also knows about the passion of the club and about the standards that we set here so that will make it much easier for him to settle into his new role.

“But we have not brought Sammy back simply because he used to play for the club and used to work here as a coach.

“He will add something different to what we already have and it will be good to work with him.

“I already have a good relationship with him and I will be looking to build on that in the weeks and months to come.”

Lee had been out of football since Bolton Wanderers sacked him as their manager in October.

He returned to work as Liverpool held their final training session of the season at Melwood yesterday and said: “When a club the size of Liverpool comes in for you, and when a manager of the magnitude of Rafael Benitez wants you, then you cannot say no.

“When I found out they were interested in me I was really thrilled.

“After the sabbatical I have had I just wish the season was starting tomorrow, but the players have had a long, difficult and demanding season and they need to get away and get their batteries recharged.

“I have been around the Melwood training ground this morning and seen a lot of old faces but a lot of new faces as well.

“I have shaken hands with everyone and introduced myself. There are some great people here and I cannot wait to get working with them. It is so nice to be back.”

Lee also insists he has no regrets about his ill-fated first foray into management after being promoted to take over from Sam Allardyce at Bolton last season.

He added: “I was very honoured and privileged to be given the position as Bolton manager.

“The pride and the honour I felt to be their manager was only outweighed by the sheer disappointment that it did not go well. I have to say the Bolton fans were fantastic towards me. I have not had the chance to say that before but I want to thank them.

“Even when results were not going well they were very supportive towards me and, most importantly, to the players.”

Three Trophies But Ablett Wants More

Despite bringing a hat-trick of trophies to Anfield this season, Gary Ablett has insisted there's room for improvement from his reserve team next year.

The young Reds landed the Reserve League North title at the end of an impressive campaign before securing the National title with victory over Aston Villa at Anfield.

With the Dallas Cup also added to the trophy haul for the season Ablett could be forgiven for praising his players for a perfect year - but he still wants more.

"I would probably give them seven and a half out of ten for the season," he said. "Maybe that's slightly cruel on them given the season they've had but I can see a lot more potential to come from some of them. Hopefully next season they can fulfil that potential and break into the first team.

"There is always room for improvement. We know we have good young players who are on different levels of the learning curve. It's our job next pre-season to make sure we give them the right information and the right coaching to give them the best chance of moving into Rafa's plans.

"It was a good season and we achieved what we wanted to achieve in terms of winning trophies, but I want to see more of them playing more first team games. We've had Insua and Plessis play for the first team towards the end of the season but the challenge is for the others to also make the breakthrough."

Alonso - I Won't Quit Reds

Talk of an Anfield exit for Xabi Alonso is well wide of the mark, the Liverpool midfielder has exclusively revealed to skysports.com.

The Spaniard has had his preparations for the European Championships interrupted by reports emanating from both Spain and Italy suggesting his time on Merseyside could be drawing to a close.

Both Real Madrid and Juventus have been credited with holding a long-standing interest in Alonso, with talk of Gareth Barry's possible arrival at Anfield doing little to silence the rumour mill.

Rafa Benitez has spoken of how Barry's signing would be to complement rather than replace existing members of his squad, with the Reds boss alluding to the fact Aston Villa's captain is capable of occupying various positions and not just the central midfield berth favoured by Alonso.

It was only in June of last year that Alonso signed a contract extension that binds him to Liverpool until 2012 but to his exasperation, Spanish press repeatedly intimate that a return to his homeland is on the cards.

Alonso though remains fully committed to Liverpool and has no intention of swapping the Premier League for La Liga or Serie A any time soon.

"It surprises me because I know the real truth," Alonso told skysports.com, when quizzed on reports of an approach from Real Madrid.

"There has been no movement from Real Madrid, whether official or otherwise.

"At the moment I am with Liverpool, I have a contract with Liverpool and I want to be at Liverpool.

"I have been surprised and very disappointed to read that I want to leave Liverpool.

"The people who write these things have clearly not done very rigorous research."

Martin Agrees New Reds Deal

Liverpool reserve team goalkeeper David Martin has agreed a new deal at Anfield.

The 22-year-old is now tied to the Reds until 2010 as Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez bids to maintain an English core on Merseyside.

Martin, whose father Alvin played for West Ham, joined Liverpool from Milton Keynes Dons in January 2006.

He has yet to make his debut for Liverpool's senior team, but he was named among the substitutes for the League Cup clash with Reading at Anfield in October 2006.

Martin has made one England Under 20 appearance and he was loaned to Accrington Stanley in February 2007, where he made 10 appearances.

Hobbs Keen On Reds Extension

Jack Hobbs has set his sights on a new deal with Liverpool after a three-month loan spell at Scunthorpe.

The 19-year-old centre back spent the final half of the season on loan at Glanford Park and although he acknowledges it will be difficult to force his way into boss Rafael Benitez's plans, he admits he would love to remain at Anfield.

He said: "I'm sure something will happen this summer. They will either extend my contract or sell me. I want to stay, but ultimately it comes down to playing first-team football.

"I'm at the age where I want to get out there and make a name for myself. It would be ideal if that was at Liverpool, but we will have to wait and see."

Pompey Deny Being In Talks Over Crouch

FA Cup finalists Portsmouth have denied reports that officials from the club are in negotiations with Liverpool about signing England striker Peter Crouch.

Although Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is thought to be keen to bring Peter Crouch back to the South Coast, it seems rumours that talks between Pompey and Liverpool are already underway are premature.

Crouch played for Redknapp before during an earlier spell at Portsmouth, and also at Pompey's Hampshire rivals, Southampton.

But Portsmouth's chief executive, Peter Storrie has been quoted today as saying: "It's a lot of nonsense to say we were negotiating to buy him last night.

"We are all concentrating on the FA Cup final."

Espanyol Not Keen On Swap Deal With Liverpool

Espanyol would like Liverpool's Sebastian Leto, but are less keen on the idea of a swap deal involving their midfielder Albert Riera, it appears.

Liverpool are planning a move for Espanyol's Albert Riera, according to reports in Spain, with manager Rafa Benitez, thought to be a keen admirer of the Spain international, considering an ofer of £8million plus winger Sebastian Leto.

Leto, who signed at Anfield in 2007, is a player wanted by the Barcelona-based club. But they would prefer to keep any deal involving 26-year-old Riera separate, and not linked to a Leto bid.

Former Liverpool scout Paco Herrera, who is now at Espanyol, has revealed that his new club are unwilling to accept a part-exchange offer.

"It is certain that we are interested in Leto, but our idea is to prepare a separate deal for Riera," Herrera said.

Meanwhile, Spurs and Fiorentina are also being linked with Riera.

Lee Delighted With Anfield Return

Former Bolton Wanderers manager Sammy Lee has spoken of his delight after returning to Liverpool as the club’s new assistant boss.

Lee has had previous spells as a player and coach at Anfield and now returns to the English giants for a third spell after replacing Alex Miller, who left Liverpool last week to try his hand in management with Japan.

Lee, who has also been involved in the coaching of the England national team in the past, said that it was a great pleasure to return to Anfield.

"I've been away for a while but everyone knows what this club means to me and it's a great pleasure to be back," he said to the club’s official website.

"When a club the size of Liverpool comes in for you and when a manager of the magnitude of Rafael Benitez wants you then you can't say no. When I found out they were interested in me I was really thrilled.

"After the sabbatical I've had I just wish the season was starting tomorrow, but the players have had a long, difficult and demanding season and they need to get away and get their batteries recharged.

"I've been around Melwood this morning and seen a lot of old faces but a lot of new faces as well. I've shook hands with everyone and introduced myself. There are some great people here and I can't wait to get working with them. It's so nice to be back."
Lee had an unsuccessful spell as a Premier League manager while at Bolton, but the experienced coach says that he has no regrets about trying his hand at the management side of the game.

"I was very honoured and privileged to be given the position as Bolton manager. The pride and the honour I felt to be their manager was only outweighed by the sheer disappointment that it didn't go well," he stated.

"I have to say the Bolton fans were fantastic towards me. I haven't had the chance to say that before but I want to thank them. Even when results weren't going well they were very supportive towards me and, most importantly, to the players."

After returning to his boyhood club, Lee is keen to play a major role in helping the Merseyside club win some more significant silverware after a strong period of improvement.

"I think the club has made great progress over the last few years and they were so close to having a great season this time around. Hopefully we can keep improving and get to where we all want to be – winning silverware," concluded Lee.

Xabi Welcomes Competition From Barry

After recently confirming he's staying at Anfield, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso has gone one better, insisting he would welcome the competition from transfer target and his mooted replacement, Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.

Alonso, 26, has not enjoyed his best season with the Reds. Injuries have played their part in ruling him out during the season and he has failed to hit top form, with new signing Lucas Leiva beating him to a first team place at one point in the season.

He has been strongly linked with a move away from Anfield this summer - most speculating it would be abroad, back to Spain - but he has insisted he is staying at Anfield.

Speaking to the club's official website, he revealed he feels very at home and could remain at the club for "many years" yet.

Strong speculation linking with the club with Gareth Barry - another central midfielder - does not perturb the Spanish international either; he insists he would welcome even more competition. Though he, like his manager, stressed that Barry can play different positions, which suggests that the 27-year-old, who has gotten so used to being given the freedom of the park at Aston Villa, may well be tied down to a more specific role under Rafael Benitez - whether he sees this as a 'demotion' of sorts remains to be seen.

"I think I will be here next season even if Barry comes," revealed Xabi.

"He would bring good competition and he would be more than welcome. He can play different positions and if he plays in midfield then I could play with him. I have no problem with that.

"At the moment I feel I could stay here for many years. I have been here for four seasons already; why not seven or eight?

"As long as I am performing well and the club wants me to stay then I will."

Alonso also moved to clarify that there are no problems between he and Benitez, with rumours persisting that a rift between the compatriots was partially responsible for Xabi's impending departure.

"There is no problem between me and the manager and I would like to clarify that," added Xabi.

"I have read that we have had an argument but our relationship is the same as it has been since I joined Liverpool.

"I spoke to the manager only the other day. He has never said that he wants me to leave."

Rafa: Reina Better Than You Think

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has once again sung the praises of his goalkeeper Jose Reina, who won the Golden Gloves award again this year.

The Spanish tactician believes that because Reina plays for a top side, he is not called into action as much and therefore unable to show just how capable he is in goal.

The former Barça boy has won the Golden Gloves award for the third time for keeping an impressive 18 clean sheets this season.

"Pepe is a 'keeper in a top side, so he has less to do," explained Benitez. "If he played for a lesser team he would be fantastic because he'd be involved all the time. He is a very good goalkeeper."

Reina has won the award three out of the four years it has been in existence, with Chelsea's Petr Cech picking up a solitary award.

Benitez continued, claiming such a record did not surprise him, and even hailing Pepe as the best in Spain - at least when he signed him - though Real Madrid and Spain's No. 1 Iker Casillas may have something to say about that.

"I am not surprised," said Rafa of Reina's hat-trick of awards. "When you see the performance of Pepe in every game, and also the team in defence, you can understand why he normally doesn't concede too many goals. I am really pleased to be here again.

"When you talk about three seasons in a row, it means he is doing a good job. Always I say the same: for me, when we signed him he was the best 'keeper in Spain. He's really good, a good worker, he wants to learn – everything is positive now and for the future.

"Everyone likes to see strikers scoring goals but your 'keeper is always a key part of the team. When you don't concede many goals you always know you can win because you always create chances."

Rafa also blasted critics for highlighting defensive errors and not commending enough good work done by his team.

"It's something that you know is normal in football," he sighed. "People just talk about one or two mistakes and not the performance of the team during the year."

Liverpool End Of Season Player Review

Despite not winning a trophy again this season I think Rafa is moving the team foreword and we will be in the title race come March next year. We registered the least number of losses under him in the league (4) and there used to be an old adage that if you avoided losing more than 4 games a season you would win the title, so one has to put it down to too many draws which could easily have swung our way on many occasions.

In my head I can think of where the title chase was lost, 8 minutes from time at Anfield against Arsenal, the ridiculously one sided 0-0 at Man City etc etc. And in all honesty although we lost to Chelsea this year in the Champions League, it was the first time we actually competed with them. We registered wins more easily towards the end of the season when the pressure was off so perhaps we need to enjoy our football more instead of talking about our title desperation around the players week in week out.

So here is my player review for the season. Marks out of 10 in Football Manager style and whether I think they should leave or stay.

Steve Finnan (6/10)
One of the best right backs in the Premiership, Finnan's only negative for this season was his injury problems. Clearly one to stay. As long as he gets back to full fitness for next season there is no reason why he won't be crossing frequent dangerous balls from the right all game. Perhaps we need move cover from an attack minded youngster.

Sami Hyypia (7/10)
After Agger's superb season last year Hyypia clearly began has our 3rd choice centre back. Many said due to his age and therefore pace he had lost it. Going on to make 44 appearances and storming back in the New Year after an average Autumn period. The goal against Arsenal in the Champions League was one to remember and he again will provide vital experience next season

Daniel Agger (6/10)
Unfair to comment really. 6 appearances due to injury. One hope's it isn't a chronic problem. If back to full fitness next season our centre back choices are looking superb.

John Arne Risse (6/10)
Struggled to hit top form this year and ignoring his own goal (which ironically was his only one of the season) perhaps it is time for him to move on. A great buy for £3m but is questionable if he is ever to hit top form again. Never been a great full back in my view defensively and always played better at Left Midfield. Though with the new formation 4-2-1-2-1 there isn't much space for him anymore in the attacking positions. Can see him going to Villa.

Harry Kewell (4/10)
What can I say? I was shocked to see he made 15 appearances this year. Felt more like 5. No goals once more and is clearly not worth the wages. Time to let him move on I'd say and count our losses. Like many Aussies will probably end up in Putney so Fulham looks like a good destination!

Steven Gerrard (8/10)
Linked up superbly with Torres for their first season together and contributed 21 goals of his own. A lot of bottle for the pen against Arsenal as he has missed a few over the years. Consistently driving the team forward as per usual. Legend!

Fernando Torres (9/10)
Breaks Van Nistolroy's record in his first season for most goals in the Premiership for a debut season from a foreign player. Finally we have a top class striker scoring 30+ a season! I love how unlike other strikers who demand the red carpet treatment and have all the arrogance he just gets on with the job with humility. Amazing season.

Andriy Voronin (5/10)
In some ways, your ideal fourth striker. I like the fact he hasn't moaned despite being benched on a regular basis. Started off the season being our best player in pre-season and the first 6 weeks well too. We almost got the feeling we had a bargain on our hands. Wastes too many chances however for the rest of the year and a return of 6 goals from 28 appearances just didn't cut it. Could be our fourth striker again but only because he doesn't complain.

Yossi Benyoun (6/10)
His goal rate was respectable and times was very useful off the bench. Though far too many times his inability to keep the ball has been frustrating. Was painful to watch against Chelsea in the second leg despite the run which did create our goal. Will be in the side again next year but more effective against the smaller teams than the top half ones. Dquad player at best.

Fabio Aurelio (7/10)
Sporadic appearances, but his form in the New Year was the best we have seen. Does not score from free kicks so I wish he would stop taking them but has been a decent full back for when Risse hasn't been up to scratch. I feel we need another full back in the left position but Aurelio has proven that a run in the team proves dividends.

Xabi Alonso (5/10)
For his standards, Xabi has had a shocker this year. We now play with 2 players in the DM positions and Alonso has too often been the weak link when on the pitch. His passing has been off, especially his decision making. Very often gets his tackling off the pace and too add to all that he has had growing injury problems. Rumour has it Spanish clubs will offer £10-£15 million. At that price we should definitely sell and Barry would be an ideal replacement.

Peter Crouch (7/10)
When called upon Crouch has done very well. Consistent when starting and effective from the bench, he showed his abilities with 11 goals from 36 games and one can`t help he could have been utilised to break the number of deadlocks we were in. I would like him to stay but he has to cope with the rotation policy and I'm not sure whether he wants to.

Jermaine Pennant (6/10)
Actually been a good squad player this year. Can get MOM performances against his former clubs Birmingham and even played well against Arsenal too at the Emirates. Too often ineffective against the other big teams. Strong enough to stay in the team on rotation.

Alvaro Arbeloa (7/10)
Able to play in both full back roles Arbeloa has been strong on many occasions this year. Tries to get foreword and is consistent defensively. Very useful to the defence.

Dirk Kuyt (7/10)
With all that hard work and constant running it just frustrates me he doesn't cross well and take his chances often enough in front of goal. Was in top form toward the end of the year after a poor patch in the middle. You can't fault him for effort and next year will be a great utility player.

Ryan Babel (7/10)
Brilliant debut season, would have got an 8 from me if he performed when he starts. It always seems that he is better off the bench as he proved against Arsenal. Okay starting against the lower table sides but needs to build up his stamina over the summer. Great potential.

Javier Mascherano (8/10)
Despite his moment of madness, it epitomised his die hard style. Fantasitc tackling and is so important in front of the back four. Gerrard would never be able to get foreword and support Torres for all their goals so Javier could easily be given an assist for each one. Why West Ham let him rot in the reserves is a complete mystery!?

Lucas Leiva (7/10)
Good debut season. He is young, from abroad and learing the ropes so therefore his 32 appearances were a sign of success in itself. Replaced Gerrard against Everton and had Phil Neville decided not to play in goal for a moment would have had the winner. Incidentally was the cause of 3 points though! Seems settled and come out of his shell a bit more next season.

Jamie Carragher (9/10)
Pure class. Made more appearances than Reina. 55 games of last ditch tackles and vital headers. Will lead the defence again next year and with another season of few goals conceded and most clean sheets in the Premiership you need look no further. Versatile playing at right back effectively too.

Pepe Reina (9/10)
Clean sheet trophy 3 years running and always reliable. Rarely makes a mistake and when he does you know he can recover mentally

Martin Skrtel (8/10)
Skrtel has filled in amazingly well following his January move. Considering he was bought as cover at a time when Agger was set to come back in February he has adapted very quickly. Many say it takes 12-18 months to settle into the Premiership though it took him about 4 weeks! 20 appearances, always tries his best and scary as hell to play against. Him an Agger will form an effective partnership in years to come I'm sure!

So Risse, Kewell, Alonso and Crouch set to go over the summer. Would be interesting to see our replacements!?

In my view we now have a winning formation, a good nucleus in the squad, we just need 3 to 4 world class additions and I'm confident next season will be a good one!

New Doubt Over Reds Stadium Move

Fresh doubts have been raised over Tom Hicks' ability to fund Liverpool's ground move after he delayed the building of a stadium in Texas.

Hicks has admitted he has been unable to secure financing for the Glorypark mixed-use development in Arlington, Texas that was scheduled to open in March 2010.

The $500million venture has been put on hold because of the credit squeeze and troubled retail market.

Hicks said in an interview with the Dallas Morning News: "We are in the most difficult credit crunch I have seen the last 20 years."

That revelation will give more hope to prospective buyers of Liverpool, Dubai International Capital, who have long believed Hicks - and his estranged co-owner George Gillett - have found it virtually impossible to raise further loans to facilitate the move from Anfield.

It is believed Hicks must find funding over the next few months to build the club's new £350million stadium in Stanley Park.

But if his Hicks Holdings group have been unable to find the cash in the current market for their Arlington plans, critics in the UK will wonder how the money for the move will be raised in the current financial climate.

Hicks' announcement over the Arlington stadium comes a week after a Dallas hotel project in which he is also involved was delayed.

Construction was scheduled to start this spring on the Glorypark project adjacent to the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, and close to the Dallas Cowboys new 1.1 billion dollar stadium.

Hicks owns the Rangers baseball club as well as the Dallas Stars ice hockey team.

The completion of Glorypark, which would have included restaurants, retail, residential and office space, had been delayed at least twice previously.

Last week, Liverpool gained their third planning permission for the revised Stanley Park scheme.

Hicks said at the weekend: "Site work will start in September and actual construction in late October/early November, with completion in time for the season starting in August 2011."

Some money, around £60million, was set aside from the January re-financing of Hicks and Gillett's loans to buy Liverpool, to allow the stadium work to start.

But it is believed Hicks has been unsuccessful in raising further loans from the London and US financial markets in recent weeks.

DIC believe the financial pressures on Hicks will eventually lead to his return to the negotiating table after he pulled the plug on a planned buyout earlier in the year.

The impasse with Gillett is no nearer a solution.

But Gillett, having made it clear he will not sell his 50% stake in the club to his partner, significantly flew to London last week for informal talks with DIC.

It has emerged that are unlikely to test the validity in court of Hicks' veto over any move by Gillett to sell his stake. Problems over certain clauses in the original contracts have arisen which make such a move difficult.

However, few observers now expect the troubled ownership of Liverpool to be resolved this summer, with the saga likely to drag on into the autumn.

Under the current proposals, the stadium work should have started by then.

Carson Calls For Realistic Price Tag

Scott Carson has called for Liverpool to place a realistic price tag on his head as he revealed his desire to sort out his long-term future.

Carson spent the 2007-2008 campaign on loan to Aston Villa in a £1.5million deal after having previously experienced similar spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill is considering his goalkeeping options for next season with Thomas Sorensen poised to leave now that his contract has come to an end.

But, wherever his future lies, 22-year-old Carson wants a fair price to be asked by the Reds for his services.

There has been speculation that Rafael Benitez will be asking around £10million for Carson.

The England keeper said: "It's too much (Liverpool's valuation). It's stupid money really. You pay £10million for a goalkeeper who is 27, 28 and the finished article.

"To be honest, I'm far from the finished article. I have got another five years of learning.

"I don't think Liverpool are stupid. They know what I'm worth. They would have recouped what they paid for me in loan fees over the last couple of years.

"So hopefully, they can help me out and if there is a sniff of going somewhere, then hopefully they will respect my wishes and help me that way."

Carson added: "I would like to get settled but it's not up to me. Whether it's Villa or anyone else, it's up to them to try to sort it out.

"I haven't got a clue what's happening. I haven't even spoken to Liverpool.

"But I want to play football. I have played football for the last two seasons and I don't think I will be content with sitting on the bench.

"I still don't know what's around the corner. I have got a couple of weeks now to think about what's going to happen.

"As it stands, I go back to Liverpool but I want to be playing first-team football. Liverpool have got a great keeper in Pepe Reina and he's going to take a lot of shifting.

"It might be the time for me to move on but I don't know Rafa's thoughts and I don't know if anyone is going to agree a fee with Liverpool. It's going to be an interesting couple of weeks."

Liverpool Set To Snap Up Malouda From Chelsea For £10m

Liverpool have made a shock move to sign Chelsea winger Florent Malouda for around £10million.

Preliminary talks with Malouda's people have been positive enough to convince Kop boss Rafa Benitez the player will leave.

The France international almost joined the Reds last summer before Chelsea outbid them and offered £60,000 a week wages.

But reports in The Sun suggest Benitez plans to move Ryan Babel to a more natural position on the right or behind Fernando Torres to free up the left attacking-midfield slot.

But the move is very much dependent on a takeover by DIC.

Meanwhile, Anfield flop Andriy Voronin is wanted by German side Stuttgart.

Voronin, 28, signed on a free last summer from Bayer Leverkusen and scored six goals.

The pony-tailed Ukraine striker is under contract until 2011 but Liverpool are prepared to let him leave on the cheap.

Liverpool To Swap Leto For Riera - Report

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is said to be eyeing up the possibility of bringing Espanyol's Albert Riera to Anfield this summer.

DiarioSport reports that the Reds are after sealing a swap deal for Espanyol's tall winger.

Benitez is considering the possibility of a cash-plus-loan deal, where they would pay up front for the 26-year-old and also loan promising youngster Sebastian Leto out to los Periquitos so he may gain some vital experience, as well as buying time to clear up alleged passport problems.

Leto had been linked with a loan move to Argentine giants River Plate, only for Benitez to opt out of the move, and Spanish side Racing Santander also expressed interest in the player, but soon gave up their pursuit.

This new deal would be a win-win move for Liverpool, and with Riera reportedly keen on a move to England, it could materialise sooner rather than later.

Tottenham Hotspur had been linked with the player earlier in the season, who of course enjoyed a fairly unsuccessful loan spell at Manchester City in 2006.

Liverpool Legend John Aldrige Confident That Fernando Torres Will Continue To Terrorise Rivals

John Aldridge is confident that Fernando Torres will be even more vicious in his attack and continue to be a threat to Liverpool's rivals next season, even though his opponents will now be closely scrutinising his game-play.

In his debut season Torres shattered a number of records netting 33 goals for Liverpool.

"People talk about players not performing in their second season after a great first year, but I don't think that will apply to Torres," said Aldridge.

"He has scored so many goals coming in from the left and then dragging the ball past the defender - like his strike at Tottenham at the weekend - and I think that is just impossible to defend against. You just can't stop it. If you block that route down the outside off then he'll just cut in and whip the ball into the net.

"I think he'll be as good, if not better, next season. Whether he can score the same amount of goals again remains to be seen because what he's achieved in a first season has been fantastic.

"What he does best, and this is something I rave over, is make goals for himself out of nothing. A lot of strikers, myself included, needed a supply into the area, but he doesn't. He gets the ball and you wonder what he's going to do - the next thing the ball is in the net.

"He's a very special talent and the partnership he has struck up with Steven Gerrard has been immaculate. The new formation the manager has settled on suits the both of them perfectly."

Fernando Torres Praises Liverpool Fans For Outstanding Support In Debut Season

Liverpool star striker Fernando Torres voiced his feelings for Liverpool’s fans after his stunning debut and record breaking season with the Reds.

The 24-year-old has had the most successful debut season for any foreign player, but he has owed out his success to the Liverpool fans who have always been there supporting him.

"The supporters back the players, regardless of who is out on the pitch," he said.

"They enjoy watching their key players play, because Liverpool has great players, but Liverpool will always be a team.

"The fans get behind the side even when things are not working out, and they are always there until the death.

"That is the major difference with football back in Spain. If a team is not doing well, then it is because the players do not deserve to be wearing the club's colours.

"At Liverpool, if a player is wearing their shirt, it is because he deserves it. The fans ask for effort and dedication, and their support is something special, something that stays with you.

"Luckily, everything has worked out well from day one, and my team-mates have helped out, and I owe them all an awful lot.

Steven Gerrard: Liverpool Board Must Spend

Steven Gerrard has become accustomed to declaring that Liverpool are better equipped than ever to end their long wait for the league title, only to bemoan another failed challenge, but that did not prevent the club's captain from delivering another rallying cry yesterday as he looked ahead to next season.

While there was a genuine gusto with which Gerrard, buoyed by the arrival of Fernando Torres from Atlético Madrid for £26.5 million, proclaimed last summer that Liverpool could win the Barclays Premier League, the midfield player appeared to strike a less assured note this time as the club prepare for a summer of uncertainty.

Gerrard made repeated pleas for the board to back Rafael Benítez in the transfer market or risk “falling away”, but the suspicion remains that unless Dubai International Capital wins control of the club or the manager can raise significant funds by offloading players such as Peter Crouch and Xabi Alonso, the possible signing of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa may be the highlight of any summer arrivals.

“Obviously I have to be careful that I don't send expectations through the roof again, but for me I am desperate for it [the title],” Gerrard said. “I believe we can make it happen. We need help and new players and the manager needs help from the board to make these signings happen.

“We say it every year, but it's massive [this summer]. Other teams are going to strengthen and become better sides, so it's important we do the same. It's important we don't fall away. We want to stay up there with the best. It's important Rafa gets the right backing above him as well.

“It's difficult to say how many world-class players [we are away from a title challenge]. If we can make the team a little bit stronger, have a few more options and match-winners and make the team a tiny bit better defensively, we can do it.”

Liverpool had the best record of the so-called “big four” teams during the run-in, taking 32 points from their final 13 league matches compared with the 31 amassed by Chelsea, 29 by Manchester United, the champions, and 23 by Arsenal over the same sequence of games, and Gerrard believes that the club must learn to stop dropping “stupid points” against teams they are expected to beat.

“The title slipped away because of silly results against teams we should be beating,” he said. “You don't have to take maximum points from the top three if you perform perfectly against the others, but we haven't done that.”

We Must Protect Our Record, Claims Ian Rush

Ian Rush has called on the current generation of Liverpool players to "fight" to retain their place as the most successful club in English football.

Liverpool has not won a league title since they clinched the last of their record 18 crowns in 1990 and Manchester United, with 10 in the intervening years, are now just one behind on 17.

The Anfield club still have an extra edge with five European Cups to United's two, but Sir Alex Ferguson's side could further erode their position, with victory in Moscow next week.

And Rush has now called on Rafael Benitez's team to protect that proud record.

Rush said: "The club should be prepared to fight because it is really important that we continue to be regarded as the most successful club in the country.

"That record has been built up over decades of hard work and doing things the right way and it has to be preserved. No-one has the divine right to win the title. You have to earn that right and that's what Liverpool have done in the past and need to do again."

Liverpool finished the season in fourth in the Barclays Premier League but Rush, the Anfield club's record goalscorer, is hopeful that the gap to the top can be bridged.

He added: "This time, United have been pushed all the way by Chelsea. It was a tight finish and could have gone either way, but United did enough on the last day and that makes them worthy champions.

"From a Liverpool point of view, we have to be on their shoulders next season and we have to be involved in the title race as it goes into the final straight. That is the challenge for everyone at the club and what greater motivation do you need than preserving one of the proudest records in football?"

Liverpool Fans' Premier League Season Review

By John Mackin, of the Red All Over The Land website……..

How was it for you?
We've improved this season in the league and if we'd beaten Manchester United home and away we would have finished above them. We are not as far away as some people would have you believe.
Verdict: 7.5/10

The manager - "good job" or "time to go"?
It's rubbish to suggest Rafa Benitez's job is under threat from disillusioned supporters. Everybody I speak to is behind him, although I reckon it would be better for him to keep his nose out of what is going on in the boardroom.

Best player / worst player:
Fernando Torres has obviously been the highlight. I knew he was good, but I didn't think he do as well as he has this quickly and next season I think he'll be even stronger. The biggest disappointment has probably been Xabi Alonso who has generally been very, very quiet.

Finest hour - the moment of the season:
I would pick the Torres goal against Arsenal in the Champions League, even above the away win against Inter Milan. We were quite confident going to Milan, but against Arsenal it was very nerve-wracking. The lowest point was not going for Chelsea in the second-half of the Champions League semi-final.

Big issue:
We need to get the ownership issue sorted out. Tom Hicks needs to sell because I don't think he is interested in putting a single penny into the club. Everything he has done so far has been with borrowed money and we could be in trouble if we run up big debts and don't increase income.

Benitez Left In Limbo After Gillett's Oversight Extends Liverpool Turmoil

Emphasising his dismay at a season without silverware, Steven Gerrard yesterday passed up the opportunity to say he sees himself finishing his career at Anfield. However, the Liverpool captain will be saddened to learn that his manager's hopes of a speedy resolution to the club's boardroom strife appear to have been dashed.

Aware he will have to sell before buying new players this summer, Rafael Benitez expressed his wish last week for a quick end to the struggle for ownership which is limiting the funds at his disposal. But Dubai International Capital (DIC), the Arab consortium seeking a buy-out at Anfield, is now resigned to the fact that Tom Hicks may still be at the helm, come August.

There had been hopes that the expiry of pre-emption rights this month would allow Hicks' co-owner George Gillett to sell his shares to DIC. But an administrative oversight on Gillett's part appears to have prevented that, so DIC is now dependent on Hicks – or his bankers – reaching the conclusion that he has no option but to sell to them.

There is a belief in the DIC camp that Hicks' bankers might ultimately force his hand, though when that might happen is unclear. DIC may have to wait until October, the date Hicks has promised that construction work will begin on Liverpool's new 60,000-seat stadium and which is the acid test of his ability to deliver what he has promised for the club.

Hicks is close to borrowed time where his side's players are concerned. Another season without a trophy threatens an exodus and Liverpool's former defender Mark Lawrenson fears the loss of Gerrard if there is no sense of the club advancing any time soon.
"He [Gerrard] says he wants to stay and can't see himself leaving but would anyone blame him if he felt he was better off out of it?" Lawrenson said yesterday. "That might not seem too much of a problem just now. But if Jose Mourinho takes over at Inter Milan and tells the chairman to get Gerrard for him at all costs, it might just become one."

Gerrard, who needs no reminding that Manchester United now stand only one title away from Liverpool's record of 18, considers it imperative that the club invest seriously this summer.

"Other teams are going to strengthen, so it's important we do the same," he said yesterday. "There is a lot of money in the League. To keep doing well in the League and Europe we need to strengthen the squad." Gerrard appeared less than bullish about his side's chances of mounting a title challenge next season.

"Obviously I have to be careful that I don't send expectations through the roof again, but I am desperate for [a title]. We need new players, and the manager needs help from the board to make these signings happen. I do expect us to be involved next season."

On reports that a player who was so nearly tempted to join Chelsea in 2005, might see out his career at Anfield, he said: "I'm happy. I am enjoying my football. Obviously I am not happy ending the season without a trophy."

Stadium investment will need to begin any time now, with the hiring of surveyors and contractors and if construction work does not get under way in the autumn Hicks will find himself under huge pressure from Liverpool fans.

He remains upbeat about his prospects and has promised that work on the new stadium in Stanley Park will will start in September, with construction to begin in October and the stadium due to be open for matches in 2011. But Hicks' confidence flies in the face of the credit crunch, which has left Tottenham to consider modifying plans to redevelop White Hart Lane.

Liverpool Boss Benitez Admits He Is At No Fault For Having Interest In Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry

Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez is adamant that he is at no fault for showing interest in Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

The Reds are said to have placed a £10 million bid for the England international.

Benitez said: "I think the right approach when you want to sign a player is to talk to the manager.

"I was talking to Martin O'Neill. I said we would like to sign Gareth Barry and asked what the situation was.

"He just said he needed to talk to the owner and I said okay. He will not have any problems with his supporters because he never said to me he wanted to sell Barry.

"We were also talking about Scott Carson because they have the option to sign him. We were just talking about football so why he was so angry I do not know.

"I've been very clear. The player had said before he wanted to play Champions League football. We knew that and so tried to sign a good player. It's that simple.

"If your captain wants to leave, it's a problem but that's football."

Benítez Waits On Fifa Before Making Market Moves

Rafael Benítez last night admitted that he will not finalise his summer transfer plans until Fifa has taken its decision over introducing the 6+5 rule.

The Liverpool manager has put Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch up for sale during the transfer window as he seeks to raise funds for team strengthening. But the values of both players could soar overnight as Fifa takes a vote that could change the face of football across the globe.

Fifa's president, Sepp Blatter, has proposed to his organisation's congress a regulation stipulating that every team must field six starting players eligible to represent the country they play in. The matter will be put to a vote on May 29 and 30.

If Blatter's plan is passed then Englishmen such as Pennant and Crouch - as well as Benítez's England-international targets Gareth Barry, of Aston Villa, and Blackburn Rovers' David Bentley - would become even more coveted commodities.

"We know what are the rules and we will try to do things whatever happens with Fifa," said Benítez. "Crouch and Pennant are under contract and they are our players. We are waiting now. We know they have been playing well and a lot of clubs are interested in them so we will wait and see. But they are under contract."

Both Crouch and Pennant were left out of Liverpool's 2-0 last-day win at Tottenham Hotspur, with Benítez describing the move as "a tactical decision". But Liverpool would be among the most heavily affected teams in the Premier League if the move is passed by Fifa. Liverpool started 42 matches with either only one or two English-qualified players this season, starting with three 17 times and with four on only one occasion.

"I feel the key is for the fans to see the best players on the pitch," said Benítez. "It is clear - in the past you would talk about a lot of local players but all the teams want to sign players and the best players come from all over the world."

Report Card: Liverpool

On-pitch moment of the season:

John Arne Riise's own-goal against Chelsea - and the audible gasp that followed.

Off-pitch moment of the season:

Not a moment but the ownership feud between Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Player who must not be sold:

Fernando Torres. A record 24 Premier League goals in his debut season shattered the myth of foreigners requiring time to settle.

Greatest goal:

Torres' dummy and finish against Newcastle was outstanding, but the importance of his Champions League strike against Arsenal tips the balance.

Most embarrassing moment:

Alfie Potter putting Havant & Waterloo-ville ahead at Anfield for the second time in the FA Cup.

Effect of manager's shopping:

Attracting a striker of Torres' calibre was a masterstroke. Martin Skrtel, signed in January, will bolster an already impressive central defence. Failed to address weaknesses on flanks and at full-back.

The season in five words:

Thank heavens for European football.

Five-point action plan for the summer:

Resolve the Hicks-Gillett stand-off; Convince Benítez there is money and stability for title challenge; Start work on new stadium; Signings on the Torres, rather than Voronin, level; Refrain from title predictions in August.

Chelsea Make £40million Bid For Liverpool Striker Torres, Reports Spanish Radio Station

Chelsea have made an audacious £40million bid for Fernando Torres which Liverpool have turned down, according to reports in Spain.

The Spanish striker has enjoyed a fantastic first season in the Premier League and his 24th goal of the season at Tottenham on Sunday saw him beat Ruud van Nistelrooy's previous record of 23 goals scored by a foreign player in their first season in England.

Radio Marca in Spain has claimed that Chelsea manager Avram Grant used his friendship with Liverpool's Israeli midfield ace Yossi Benayoun to inform Torres of his admiration.

However the subsequent concrete offer was turned down out of hand by Liverpool, who it is claimed would not even discuss the possibility of allowing Torres to leave Anfield.

The report also claims Torres, who is now preparing for next month's European Championships, is more than happy at the club and has no intentions of leaving after just one season.

Gerrard Convinced Rafa Can Deliver The Title To Liverpool Next Season

Steven Gerrard has revealed he is desperate to be involved in a genuine title challenge.

And he insists he has the belief that manager Rafael Benitez can deliver the championship to Liverpool for the first time since 1990.

But the Liverpool skipper maintains that Benitez must have help from the board in the transfer market to make Liverpool stronger.

Gerrard has just witnessed Manchester United win their 10th Premier League crown and take their overall title haul to 17, just one short of Liverpool's all-time record.

Liverpool finished 11 points adrift of United, and have just completed their second successive trophy-less season under Benitez.

Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Other teams are going to strengthen and become better sides, so it is important we do the same.

"There is a lot of money in the league - teams and squads will become stronger in the summer. It's important we do not fall away, we want to stay up there with the best.

"To keep doing well in the league and Europe we need to strengthen the squad, there is no doubt about that."

Liverpool were forced last week to dismiss as "fantasy" that there had been a bid from Inter Milan for their captain, and likewise have dismissed out of hand claims from a Spanish radio station that Chelsea had tried to sign Fernando Torres for £40million.

Gerrard is more concerned with Benitez's transfer market activity, saying: "I don't know much about Rafa's transfer plans. He doesn't call me in and tell me names.

"But he does assure me and the other players that if anyone becomes available who would strengthen the side, then he will go out and buy them. It's important Rafa gets the right backing above him as well.

"Obviously I have to be careful that I don't send expectations through the roof again, but for me I am desperate for a title challenge. I believe in this team and this manager, and believe we can make it happen.

"We need help and new players, and the manager needs help from the board to make these signings happen and make us stronger. I do expect us to be involved next season."

He added: "This is a tough league to win. We are strengthening all the time, working as hard as any other team.

"But sometimes you have to realise there are other sides that are as good as us who are strengthening and working hard as well. They want it just as much as us.

"But it has been a long time for this club (since winning the league), so we all maybe need to give that extra five or 10%.

"It's difficult to say how many world-class players we need. You look at the points difference and over the last few years we have made it smaller.

"Playing against the Arsenals and Chelsea, it has been close. We are giving them good games which are tight and get decided on small details.

"If we can make the team a little bit stronger, have a few more options and match-winners, and make the team a tiny bit better defensively, we can do it."

And Gerrard has revealed his bitter disappointment that Liverpool fell away in the title race in the recently completed season.

He said: "Silly results against teams we should be beating cost us. Look at Reading away, where we were beaten 3-1. There were a couple of silly draws at home against sides you need to perform perfectly against and take maximum points from.

"You can be involved in the title race and even win it without beating the top three home and away. You don't have to take maximum points from them as long as you perform perfectly against the others, but we haven't done that. We dropped stupid points.

"We know we are capable of going on consistent runs and beating anyone. We started off that way, expectations were high. We thought this season we were going to be a lot closer, so now we need to learn from our mistakes.

"I thought we would have been involved in a title race come March or April but unfortunately we were out of it."

On his own future, Gerrard said: "I'm happy here and enjoying my football. Obviously I am not happy ending the season without a trophy because I am a winner and that is what I play the game for.

"I like finishing the season having a trophy or cup final to look back on and seeing I've achieved something.

"The experiences I've had at this club in Istanbul, Cardiff and so on - I want these again because I've enjoyed them so much."

Villarreal Plan Crouch Swoop

Villarreal will attempt to prise Peter Crouch away from Liverpool if their bid to sign Valladolid's Joseba LLorente breaks down, but will be looking to lower the Reds' asking price.

The Yellow Submarine are planning to add three or four new faces to their squad and a striker is one of the key areas where the club want to bolster their options.

Llorente has been a long-term target for coach Manuel Pellegrini, but if Valladolid remain in the Spanish top flight then they will want to retain the 28-year-old's services for another season.

If that happens, or if la Pucela raise his asking price beyond Villarreal's means, then they will turn to Anfield and make an approach to Rafa Benítez for Crouch.

While the Red's manager has placed a €20m asking price on the former Tottenham, QPR, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Southampton striker's head, that may go down for a foreign side.

With Giuseppe Rossi and Nihat Kahveci giving the squad the short and speedy option, Pellegrini is set to off-load either Guille Franco or Jon Dahl Tomasson and wants a replacement.

Also on the agenda at El Madrigal is Barcelona's Edmílson, who is believed to have undergone a medical, and Portsmouth's England defender Sol Campball, who has had Villarreal recommended to him by Robert Pirès.

Rafa Wants Trophies To Add To Records

Fernando Torres finished the season on a high but boss Rafael Benitez insists the bottom line is that Liverpool have failed to win a trophy.

Torres took his tally of league goals to 24 by clinching a 2-0 win at Tottenham, edging ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy's record for goals scored by a foreigner in a rookie season.

Benitez bought 'El Nino' for more than £20million from Atletico Madrid last summer, which appears a bargain for what the Spain striker has delivered.

"Always when you sign a player you do not know if he will settle down and how he will do in the Premier League, but Torres is a young player who is hungry and wanted to do well," Benitez said.

"Sometimes you sign a player for a free transfer and people say he is bad signing.

"Then other times you can sign a player for a lot of money and he does well and everyone is happy, so lucky for us he is a good signing.

"He is one of the best strikers in the Premier League and is the best for us.

"We had spoken about the record. After the last game he said he wanted to play in this one and score here."

Despite Torres' prolific first season, scoring 33 in all competitions, Liverpool still finished the campaign empty-handed.

There were other personal accolades, with Jose Reina again keeping a clean sheet, but Liverpool fell short in cup competitions and drifted out of contention in the league.

Benitez added: "We did not win silverware but you talk about 119 goals, the goalkeeper has won the Golden Gloves Award again for the third time in a row.

"And with Torres, he was terrific at scoring and 76 points is a good total for us. There are a lot of positive things from this season, but the most important thing is we did not win a trophy."

Benitez will now look to strengthen his squad over the summer.

"Our idea is to finish as high up as possible and to win trophies was a priority, but we know this season has been very difficult for us," he added.

"We are working hard to improve the squad. Throughout the whole season we are watching players and trying to sign the players we need.

"We want to sign the best players as soon as possible and I think we will get investment from the owners, so we can go forward."

He could also let Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant go, with neither in the matchday squad for the final game of the season.

"Some of the players here are under contract and they are our players and we are waiting now to see if clubs are interested in them," he added.

Andriy Voronin opened the scoring at White Hart Lane in the 69th minute, with Torres grabbing his goal five minutes later.

"I think you have to give all the credit to Torres. He has had a great season and although he had a bit of space for the goal, he has played well," said Spurs head coach Juande Ramos.

Defeat meant Spurs finished in the bottom half, although they still did a lap of honour to parade the Carling Cup they won in February.

"I think we maybe did suffer after the Carling Cup success, maybe we achieved our target too soon," Ramos said.

Benitez Keen To Commit To Liverpool

Rafael Benitez reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool by stating that he is "happy' at Anfield despite the ongoing boardroom battle.

The ownership row at Anfield between estranged co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett has cast a decidedly unsettling aura over the Reds’ season and with no trophies this term and seemingly less security surrounding his position, it has even been speculated that Benitez may take matters into his own hands and return to Spain.

Benitez, however, has refuted such reports and insists that he is most of all just keen to have confirmed that he has the complete faith of the controlling interests of the club.

"I would like to know my situation because every manager likes to have his position clarified," said the Spaniard.

"I haven't spoken with the owners about a new contract because I am concentrating on bringing in players for next season.

"I think it will be done before the start of the season. The owners have said that will be the case, so that is good. They are trying to improve the situation at the club.

"I am happy here. That is important when you look to sign players because they want to know the manager is happy and that they are joining the right club."

Benitez - We Need To Improve

Rafa Benitez admits Liverpool need to improve in all areas if they are to secure the Premier League title next season.

The Reds, who finished their season with a 2-0 win away to Tottenham thanks to goals from Andrei Voronin and Fernando Torres, finished fourth in the table this term after being tipped to compete for the top-flight silverware at the beginning of the campaign.

And manager Benitez confesses he will venture into the summer transfer market in a bid to close the 11-point gap to champions Manchester United.

"We want to win trophies," Benitez told Sky Sports News. "But we saw this year that we are closer. We drew some games, but we will try to improve this next season.

"Clearly if you want to close the gap you need to improve. Sometimes with the players you have you can reduce the gap, but you need to do almost everything perfectly."

Benitez, though, insists he will not be actively looking to sell the likes of Jermaine Pennant, Xabi Alonso, John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch - who were all left out of the Liverpool squad at White Hart Lane - in a bid to raise funds for a shopping spree.

Crouch has been especially strongly linked with a move elsewhere, but Benitez - who has placed a £15million asking price on the striker - is adamant that he is keen to keep the forward, despite hinting that offers would not be ignored.

"We offered Peter Crouch a new contract so we showed that we wanted to keep him," Benitez continued.

"I told him, I was very clear, if someone wants to sign him they can talk with us but he is a player that is different and is a good player and we have confidence in him.

"Xabi Alonso was injured so he didn't travel. Pennant ad Riise are not here because I was trying to use the squad. They are under contracts so they are our players.

"I don't have any problems. The problem will be if we receive offers because they are playing really well."

Anderson In Dark Over Future

Liverpool starlet Paul Anderson admits he does not know where he will be playing next season.

The 19-year-old has just spent the season on loan at League One champions Swansea and he impressed hugely.

Anderson, who grabbed 10 goals for The Swans, is now unsure what the future holds, although he expects to be away from Anfield again.

He said: "I know I'm going back on loan, but haven't got a clue for what team.

"I know there are quite a lot of clubs interested, but I'll just have to wait and see what happens."

Liverpool & Bolton To Discuss Guthrie

Bolton Wanderers are set to hold talks with Liverpool over the permanent signing of midfield starlet Danny Guthrie.

Twenty-one-year-old Guthrie has spent the season on loan with Wanderers this season and has an impressive campaign, becoming an important factor in their survival in the Barclays Premier League.

Bolton boss Gary Megson is therefore keen to sign the player permanently and tie down the young Englishman to a long-term contract. Megson is set to hold talks with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez in the coming days over a cut-price £1.5 million transfer.

With Liverpool already strong in central-midfield with the likes of Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, along with Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry still being heavily linked with the club, a future on Merseyside looks unlikely for the youngster.

Guthrie made 25 Premier League appearances and also featured 7 times in the UEFA Cup this season and has himself stated that he is happy to stay at the Reebok Stadium having thoroughly enjoyed his loan spell at the club.

Rafa Ready To Ring The Changes

Rafa Benitez is hoping to start his summer rebuilding program at Liverpool as soon as possible.

The Reds finished 11 points behind Premier League champions Manchester United this season, and are desperate to mount a serious bid for the crown next year.

Benitez admits that alterations to the personnel at Anfield are imperative, and has already drawn up a list of targets.

However, rather than wait for the transfer market to begin in earnest over the summer, the Spaniard is keen to get the process in motion immediately.

"We are working hard to improve the squad," Benitez said.

"Throughout the whole season, we are watching players and trying to sign the players we need.

"We want to sign the best players as soon as possible and I think we will get investment from the owners, so we can go forward."

Benitez already has the foundations of a title-chasing team in place, but needs to complement his big-game players with more world-class talent.

Fernando Torres has been a revelation during his first season in England, while Jose Reina continues to provide a solid last line of defence.

Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano are all proven at the highest level, but silverware continues to elude the Reds.

"We did not win silverware but you talk about 119 goals, the goalkeeper has won the Golden Gloves Award again for the third time in a row," said Benitez.

"And with Torres, he was terrific at scoring and 76 points is a good total for us. There are a lot of positive things from this season, but the most important thing is we did not win a trophy."

Tottenham 0 - 2 LiverpooL

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres wrapped up victory at Tottenham to set a record for goals scored by a foreigner in his first season in the Premier League.

Torres' goal was his 24th since arriving from Atletico Madrid, taking him past Ruud van Nistelrooy's total when he arrived at Manchester United.

Andriy Voronin had opened the scoring at White Hart Lane as Liverpool ended their season on a high, while Spurs' fizzled out as it has done since winning the Carling Cup.

Should this be a farewell to Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov, it was a subdued one, although perhaps not the game to bring the best out of him. Aside from Torres needing his goal, there was nothing significant to play for.

Spurs had a chance of moving up a place to 10th - earning an extra £720,000 in merit payment from the league - while Liverpool had already secured fourth.

Rafael Benitez's season has appeared overshadowed by the power struggle behind the scenes at Anfield and a reminder of their problems was the sight of co-owner George Gillett in the directors' box next to chief executive Rick Parry.

A tier below them was Benitez and Juande Ramos, two Spaniards looking to improve their respective teams.

Ramos wants to gatecrash the top four with Spurs, while Benitez wants a title challenge rather than playing in end-of-season sideshows when the main events of the day are elsewhere.

Benitez's team selection appeared to point towards the players he wants to keep next season when Liverpool will try again for their first title since 1990.

Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant were left out of the matchday squad, fuelling uncertainty over the future of the pair in the summer.

There was little to choose from the two teams in the early stages, with Radek Cerny saving comfortably from Voronin, then getting stretched a little more when Ryan Babel found a yard on the edge of the area.

Berbatov produced an impish flick for the hosts in the penalty box, after Jermaine Jenas had cut in from the right, but no Spurs player was on the end of the move.

It was Berbatov who almost opened the scoring, in the 26th minute, jumping with Jonathan Woodgate and beating his team-mate to O'Hara's corner. Jose Reina palmed the effort away at full stretch.

Steven Gerrard attempted to up the tempo from the centre-midfield, and the intensity was raised when Javier Mascherano clattered into Alan Hutton.

Uriah Rennie chose not to book the Liverpool midfielder, then Hutton escaped a caution shortly afterwards when he brought down Babel at the byline.

Torres almost broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half. Gerrard surged towards the penalty area and was brought down by Didier Zokora as he released Torres.

Play was allowed to continue and the Liverpool striker sent Cerny the wrong way with his finish, but the Spurs goalkeeper managed to save with his feet.

Cerny was called into action again in the 58th minute when the ball broke to Voronin on the edge of the area but the low shot lacked direction.

Gerrard was guilty of losing his radar with his passes and one error gifted the ball to Steed Malbranque in a dangerous position. The Frenchman fed Robbie Keane but the finish was dragged wide.

Reina then flicked a Tom Huddlestone cross off Berbatov's head, while Gerrard had a couple of efforts, one straight at Cerny and the other dipping over the crossbar.

The deadlock was broken 21 minutes from time when Alvaro Arbeloa angled a long ball from right to left towards the penalty area. Torres flicked on with his head and Voronin poked past Cerny.

Berbatov almost replied immediately but Reina tipped over his powerful volley.

Then came Torres' goal in the 74th minute, twisting and turning past Michael Dawson and slotting past Cerny. It could have got worse for Spurs but Cerny saved Hutton from an embarrassing own goal. Torres also grazed the crossbar with a chip.

Madrid Ready For Alonso Swoop

Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso could be the first Real Madrid signing this summer according to reports in Spain.

Marca has claimed that Rafa Benitez has given the move the go-ahead and Alonso could be a Merengues player by the time he leaves for the European Championships.

It seems as if Real are acting quickly as they do not want to lose out to other clubs who are also interested in the Liverpool midfielder.

The Reds are asking for €28 million but it seems that Real will be able to complete the operation with €24 million.

Reports have also suggested that Los Blancos may throw in Ruben de la Red in order to try and pay a lower transfer fee for their target.

Juventus have also been after the midfielder but it seems likely that Real will land their man as Alonso is not keen on a move to Italy and instead he wants to return to his native Spain.

Meanwhile, Bernd Schuster’s side will be hoping they can continue their La Liga triumph with a win against Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

Babel Keen To Make Euro 2008 Impact

For Ryan Babel, the youngster Marco van Basten once claimed could emulate Thierry Henry, this season has been one long learning curve.

But while senior Liverpool colleagues Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch will be watching Euro 2008 on television, Babel will be showcasing his skills at the finals in Austria and Switzerland as a mainstay of the Holland squad.

And having started the campaign as a raw, high-speed flyer who did not complete 90 minutes in a match until March, Babel is ending it being compared to Liverpool legend John Barnes.

Babel, 21, was raised in a tough migrant high-rise estate in Amsterdam.

De Bijlmer is an infamous housing project in Holland, and he says: "I think 'ghetto' is the wrong word for it, but it wasn't a very good neighbourhood in the '90s. There was a lot of crime."

But while many of his peers were slipping into a life of petty and more serious misdemeanours, Babel was getting noticed for his amazing talent.

He progressed through the Ajax ranks, and started benefiting from the guidance of the great Van Basten, reserve team coach at the time but now in charge of the national team.

Babel said: "He taught me a lot of things, the smart little things that a striker should know."

In Holland, the youngster became an instant superstar, scoring on his full international debut and ending last summer with a winners' medal from the European Under-21 Championships.

That form brought him to Liverpool's attention, and an £11.5million fee secured his arrival at Anfield.

But while consistently retaining his place in the full Holland squad, Babel's education really started under Rafael Benitez's watchful eye at Liverpool.

The initial impression was of a headless chicken, all raging pace but no final product. He specialised in losing possession after the fourth tackle, or running into blind alleys.

But slowly Benitez has knocked off those rougher edges, and he has figured prominently in Liverpool's European run while reaching double figures for goals.

Benitez initially used him as an impact player, coming off the bench to murder tiring defenders. Now he is usually on from the start.

Babel said: "Under Rafa's guidance my level of performance has definitely improved since I left Ajax. I feel stronger and am more direct with my actions on the pitch.

"The boss knows what he wants from players and I know what he wants from me. He confirms that all the time. He makes sure that I know my job.

"I have always liked to play from a standing position, with the ball played to my feet when I can then take off on a run.

"But Rafa has already coached more movement into me. I am learning these things all the time, and it is improving my development."

Babel was concerned by the 'impact' tag, and said: "I was realistic. I knew at the beginning of the season that I could not last a full match at this better level in the Premier League.

"It's much quicker. And the manager also knew what I could and couldn't do which is why I have been brought into the side slowly.

"I have heard people say I am an impact player, coming off the bench. But I prefer not to let it worry me, I just prefer to focus on my game as and when I do play.

"It was similar when I first started as a 17-year-old at Ajax. I would come on in the second-halves of matches and I often had that same impact with lots of late goals.

"But like at Liverpool, which was just at the beginning of my career at the club. Soon I was starting matches and I am now pleased to have graduated to something like that situation at Liverpool.

"It was just a matter of time until I started to make an impact from the start of matches.

"In Holland you only have to play to your maximum level in four games. With Ajax, you can play to 70% and still win against the others.

"I've found here, though, that every game is massive. Even against the bottom teams you have to be at your best to win."

Babel can be more than happy with his first season in England, and now he heads for the European finals intent on another chapter in am emerging career that will benefit club and country.

Stadium Will Open On Time Despite Rift, Promises Hicks

Liverpool owner Tom Hicks has promised work on the club's new 60,000- seat stadium at Stanley Park will start in September and be open for matches in 2011.

Hicks made his vow after Liverpool City Council last week granted planning permission for the new ground.

There are fears among Liverpool fans that the current impasse at board level between co-owners Hicks and George Gillett will cause a delay in the stadium being built.

But Hicks allayed those worries by saying: "Site work will start in September and actual construction in late October/early November, with completion in time for the season starting in August 2011."

Manager Rafa Benitez believes a new stadium is essential to Liverpool staying in the Big Four in the long term.

"I am concentrating on my team right now but it's clear it will be a massive help to Liverpool to have a bigger stadium," said the Spaniard. "To get larger crowds will help bring in money to sign top players."

Benitez is under pressure to sell this summer before he can bring in the three players he needs — including top targets Gareth Barry from Aston Villa and Barcelona's Eric Abidal.

He is desperate for Peter Crouch to join Villa as part of a swap deal with Barry and is annoyed that Crouch's agents are trying to get a £75,000-a-week offer from Portsmouth.

Martin O'Neill has been offered Scott Carson, John Arne Riise and Crouch for Barry but Liverpool wanted cash as well — something O'Neill is reluctant to pay as he regards Barry as more valuable than Crouch, who only has one year left on his contract.

Crouch is interested in a return to Villa Park but he also has a strong loyalty to Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp, while a move to Manchester City would allow him to keep his north-west home.

Benitez expects to land Borussia Dortmund fullback Philipp Deggen on a free transfer.

Rafa: New Signings Will Be 'Hungry'

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says that a winning mentality will be a main determinant in whether he signs a player this summer.

After another trophyless season for Liverpool,Rafa Benitez is once again looking to strengthen his squad and he knows exactly what type of characteristics he is looking for in a player.

"We need players who are hungry, people who want to win trophies," he told the club's official website.

"We are only interested in signing the players that we need. For example if we need a right-back, we'll try and sign one. Why do we need to sign the best striker in the world, when we have one of the best here already? We just need to do the right things in the right moment."

"This season we could see the reaction of everyone under pressure," he added.

"That was important information for the future. We saw how people reacted during a difficult time."

According to media reports, areas that may be strengthened are the the wings and full-backs, Gareth Barry, David Bentley and Schalke's Rafinha and Eric Abidal are just some of the names recently linked with the Reds.

Barry Ready To Quit Villa - Report

Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry is ready to quit the club and move to Liverpool, according to reports.

The England midfielder has been heavily linked with a ₤10 million move to Merseyside in recent weeks, where he would link up with friend and national-team colleague Steven Gerrard.

New of the World have reported that the 27-year-old will hand in his transfer request this week, thus ending his 10-year career at Villa Park.

"Gareth feels it's time to move on," said an inside source. "He's given his all to Villa but feels he now needs the new challenge and the opportunity to compete at the very top of the Premier League."

Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Barry, but Liverpool remain the favourites due to the fact they can offer him regular football in a number of positions across midfield and defence.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill has slammed the manner in which the Reds have handled the situation and will not let his skipper leave cheaply.

But the former Celtic manager understands he cannot stop Barry from leaving if he so desires, and may push for a part player-swap deal involving Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.