Rafa Quiet On Alonso

Rafa Benitez remained tight-lipped when quizzed on whether his side's 5-0 defeat of Singapore on Sunday represented Xabi Alonso's last appearance in a Liverpool shirt.

The Spanish midfielder, publically courted by Real Madrid all summer, came on for the final 13 minutes for his first pre-season appearance.

Benitez has repeatedly stated his intent to keep Alonso at Anfield but when asked if the player would still be in England next season, he felt the question would be better directed at the 27-year-old.

"It's a question that you have to ask him," he said.

"Honestly, we've been talking about this for two months but I think that it is a question for him and not for us.

"He has three years on his contract and we know he is a great player - that's why we signed him and renewed his contract. So you have to ask him."

Benitez declared himself delighted with his team's performance in the final game of their tour of Asia and was especially pleased with the promise shown by 20-year-old Krisztian Nemeth.

Nemeth came off the substitutes' bench to score twice in the Lion City and has clearly made a favorable impression on his manager.

"He was really good two years ago for the reserve team, scoring a lot of goals but last year he had some problems with injuries," added Benitez.

"But he showed today that he's a good finisher and a player with a future.

"It depends on the players always. If they're knocking on the door and they knock really hard, then I have to hear. This is important and it depends on them."

Benitez insisted that he will be leaving Asia with happy memories.

"The fans have been amazing and it felt for us like we were back at Anfield," he said.

"People here have been treating us with a lot of respect and you can see the passion. Sometimes you say it's too far (to travel to Asia) and you have one week away from your families but you can see the faces of the fans and you feel good to be out here.

"When you've got fans saying that they've been waiting eight years to see you, you have to be pleased to be here."

Such is the passion for the club in Asia that Benitez believes his side will enjoy a significant advantage if the Premier League ever manages to get its plan to play a 39th game in the region off the ground.

"We normally play around 60 games a year so if were to play more games, it would have to be organized properly. But it's not our decision - the coaches and managers have to prepare the teams so it depends on other people.

"But if we have to play with these fans behind us all the time, it will be like playing at home."

Dossena In Talks Over Napoli Switch, Says Agent

Andrea Dossena’s agent says the Liverpool FC defender is keen to sign for Napoli and that the two clubs are in negotiations.

Dossena only moved to Anfield last season from Udinese but has failed to settle in and is likely to find himself even more surplus to requirements following the arrival of Glen Johnson on Merseyside.

The Italy full-back is reportedly keen on a return to Serie A and would welcome a move to Napoli who finished 12th in the league last season.

"We want to close the deal, we will reach an agreement," Federico Pastorello told TuttoNapoli.net. "Napoli’s offer is five million euros (£4.3million) plus bonuses.

"It’s a deal the two clubs are sorting out, we’re waiting for news.

"Napoli know how much Andrea earns, a significant sum, but less than two million.

"Our intention is to reach an agreement. We will not even have a problem with giving up image rights.

"The player is currently in Singapore with Liverpool, he is also awaiting news.

"Although he loves being at a great club like Liverpool, he would welcome the opportunity to join Napoli with great enthusiasm."

A stumbling block could be Liverpool FC’s reluctance to accept a bid of half the 10million euros (£8.6million) they paid for the 27-year-old barely 12 months ago.

Hicks And Gillett Refinance Liverpool FC Bank Loan

Liverpool FC’s American owners have concluded a deal re-finance the bank loan they took out to buy the club in 2007.

Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are not expected to issue a statement, but the deal is believed to be for another year and will involve them paying back £60m of the original debt.

Negotiations between the Royal Bank of Scotland, Wachovia and the owners have continued for months the worldwide credit crunch has made them tortuous.

There has been real fear that the banks would call in the loan, while both Hicks and Gillett have searched for someone to take a minority stake in the club for around £100m to no avail.

But a source close to the owners has confirmed that the deal has now been concluded, and before last weekend’s deadline for re-financing the package expired.

The owners have reduced the £290m they owed to £230m, with £60m being repaid, half immediately.

Hicks, 63, and Gillett, 70, purchased Liverpool in 2007 for £174m, taking on £44.8m of liabilities.

At the time they maintained that financing the debt would not fall on the club. But that attitude changed, and Liverpool now have to find around £40m a year to service the debt, a situation that has enraged fans’ groups and impacted on boss Rafael Benitez’s transfer budget.

The owners have also failed to find the money to build the club’s new stadium with preliminary work on the Stanley Park venture halting during last season.

Extra cash for the stadium "did not form part of any discussions" claimed the source, although there is still a projected date for completion of 2012.

In the run-up to the new deal being concluded, Gillett has sold his 80% stake in the Montreal Canadians ice hockey club for US dollars 580million (£350million), while Hicks is trying to off-load the Texas Rangers baseball team.

It is Hicks who has seemingly experienced most difficulty in coming up with financial backing of late, and he recently defaulted on interest payments on a US dollars 515m (£312million) loan in the States recently.

Prior to the current credit crunch, loans of the size Hicks and Gillett took for Liverpool would be expected to re-financed over three or five years.

But City sources doubt this new deal would be for more than a year in the current climate.

Hicks and Gillett had a one-year arrangement when they first bought the club, and then negotiated another year with a six-month option.

They were granted that option, which expired at the weekend. But critics, particularly fans’ groups, will see this new agreement as just papering over the cracks of a regime that has not been able to take the club forward in the face of tough financial competition from Chelsea, Manchester United, the Spanish giants of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and now Manchester City.

Rogan Taylor, spokesman for the ShareLiverpool group who re-launched their own takeover plans last week for, in effect, a fans' co-operative, said: ``The deal we are hearing about for the re-financing of the Americans' loans is really what we expected.

"These are the indications we have had from RBS for a while, I would be interested to know really what Wachovia’s view is. It has been rumoured that they were very unsure about this new deal.

"It is little more than an expensive fix - just sticking plaster and making things more difficult for the club to progress in the long run.

"It is still very short term, year to year, if that. The owners are not able to take the club forward."

He added: "We produced our own plans again last week, and that is based over a much longer period and aimed at the banks.

"There can be political pressure here. We, the tax payers, own RBS and maybe they will eventually see that they can get most of their money back with our scheme and it is a much longer-termed plan."

Balague: No Chance Liverpool Will Sign Silva

Liverpool will not be signing Valencia winger David Silva this summer, despite reputed interest from Manchester United, that is the view of Spanish based journalist Guillem Balague.

Reports in this morning’s Daily Mail suggests Manchester United and Liverpool are ready to go head-to-head for the Spanish international, with the former expected to make a bid for the player later this week, however esteemed Spanish journalist Guillem Balague believes this is not the case.

Writing on his official website, Balague said: “Speculation has resurfaced and in the last few days the player has once again been linked with a move to Anfield.”

“We can clear all of the above up by saying that, at this moment in time, neither Liverpool, nor any other English club, have had any recent contact with Valencia over David Silva.”

“As far as Liverpool are concerned, I am still being told that there is no chance that they will be making a move for David Silva at this time.”

“Most of the transfer money available has been spent on Glen Johnson (this includes revenue from the sale of Keane, and debts owed to Liverpool by Portsmouth for the transfer of Peter Crouch that were factored into the Johnson deal).”

“Considerable funds have also been dedicated to the renewal and extension of many current player’s contracts at Anfield - including Benayoun.”

“In fact, I understand that, had he been sold, David Silva was considered as a replacement for the Israeli, but now that Yossi is staying at the club - the signing of Silva is even less of a possibility.”

“Although there have been no formal contact between Liverpool and Valencia in relation to David Silva recently, the channels of communication remain open between Anfield and the player’s representatives - so as with anything in football, we can never say never, but nothing appears likely at this time.”

On Manchester United’s alleged interest in the player Balague said the following: “It has even been suggested that Manchester United are also interested in David Silva, and I have been advised that the player will be under very close scrutiny when Valencia take on Ferguson’s men next month.”

The respected pundit, who features regularly on Sky Sports’ Revista de la Liga, also tried to clear up the financial turmoil Valencia currently reside in, and in particular how they can possibly hold onto the likes of Silva.

He continued: “Another question that many have been asking and one that relates to the above, not to mention David Villa is: ‘how on earth can Valencia possibly keep hold of the pair when the club are in such dire financial circumstances and have previously admitted that they must sell to avoid financial meltdown?’”

“Unfortunately, there is no logical or rational explanation, and at times the situation at Valencia is as baffling to us here as it appears to you.”

“In many ways the Mestalla club remind me of Newcastle United: a club where what counts is the opinion of the public, an anonymous body that defies all financial and sporting logic and one that rules the club with its heart rather than its head.”

“The problem at Valencia is that nobody wants to be the pantomime villain and risk the wrath of the fans by actually selling their favourite players.”

“Consequently, the club remain in a mess financially and the players concerned are growing deeply frustrated and unsettled - particularly David Villa, who we will have more on tomorrow.”

Benitez Points To Positives

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is confident his squad are beginning to display the benefits from their pre-season activities.

The Reds recorded a first victory in four warm-up matches as they hammered Singapore 5-0 in the Far East on Sunday.

Benitez believes his players have benefited from the tour of Asia and that they are shaping up well ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

Liverpool, who have flown back to England, now face Espanyol on 2nd August as they continue preparations and their boss is in a positive frame of mind.

"We've been here (Asia) for a week and you could see that the team was stronger and fitter," Benitez told the club's official website after the win over Singapore.

"It was a good game, especially in the second half when we had more space and they were a bit tired. We could go forward and create more chances.

"We worked hard and played at a high tempo with a professional mentality. We won and scored a lot of goals so I think that will make the next game easier.

"You can see that some of our players are a little bit tired, but the mentality and attitude was good.

"If we can play these kind of games with this intensity, it will be really good to improve the condition of the players. We need to be a little bit sharper but I feel it's just a question of time."

Singapore Coach Radojko Avramovic Hails Liverpool's Second-Half Show

Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic paid tribute to Liverpool as the English giants crushed his team 5-0 in a Sunday evening exhibition.

The Lions put up a good show in the first half at the National Stadium but their resistance was broke just before the break thanks to Andriy Voronin.

The visitors went to town in the second half as Albert Riera, Fernando Torres and a brace from Krisztian Nemeth made it a 5-0 thrashing.

“In the first-half, we played as a team, stayed compact and did very well but in the second-half, fitness into play and the players couldn’t cope,” said Avramovic after the game.

“Plus, Liverpool have quality. They made a few changes, fresh players came in and caused problems down our left side.”

There were some positives for the hosts especially as 18-year-old Hariss Harun impressed.

“Hariss and Fahrudin controlled the area in front of our back four in the first-half.

“He has a good future ahead of him but he must learn and tonight was a good game for him to see what quality players do, especially in terms of receiving the ball, changing sides and passing.

“Younger players must look at the Liverpool players and try to play like them.”

Rafael Benitez Hails Krisztian Nemeth After Brace

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has showed his pleasure at his side's 5-0 friendly win against Singapore this afternoon.

The Reds finished their tour of Asia with a easy victory over the Singapore side, with Andriy Voronin, Fernando Torres, Albert Riera and Kristian Nemeth all getting on the scoresheet.

20-year-old Nemeth was singled out for special praise by Benitez, who thinks the Hungary Under-21 international is a natural goalscorer.

Speaking to Liverpool's official website, Benitez said, "Nemeth is a great finisher. He has scored a lot of goals in the reserve team and today he showed why.

The Spaniard also stated that he thought it was an enjoyable game and that he was pleased with the outcome.

"It was a good game," he added.

"We worked hard and played at a high tempo, with a professional mentality.

"I think we are improving physically every single day.

"Some of the players returned late from international duty, so it was important for them to play for 30 minutes.

"You can see that some of them are a little bit tired, but the mentality and attitude was good, and it was a very good game."

The Reds will now travel back to Europe, where they will continue their pre-season campaign against Spanish Primera Division side Espanyol in a week's time.

Rafael Yuste Admits Barcelona Admiration For Liverpool Midfielder Mascherano

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, who recently admitted that he would like a move to Spanish champions Barcelona after reports surfaced that he was unsettled in England, is a player that the Blaugrana would be interested in taking to La Liga, according to their vice-president of sport Rafael Yuste.

"I can confirm that Javier Mascherano is a fantastic player that personally I like a lot," he told Sky Sports News. "But we have not listed [him].

"We have a lot of players who want to come to Barcelona. Mascherano is a fantastic player, of course, but he is today at Liverpool and he's playing very well.

"The future we cannot predict. We are just here today attending the match. He's a nice player - yes."

Barca were competing in the Wembley Cup today, where they beat Egyptian outfit Al Ahly 4-1.

Liverpool, meanwhile, hammered Singapore 5-0 in their latest game on their pre-season tour of Asia, with Mascherano making a second-half appearance as a substitute.

Live Hand Grenade Found Outside Liverpool Legend Kenny Dalglish's House

Merseyside Police are investigating the discovery of a live hand grenade on a wall outside the home of Liverpool's iconic former player and manager Kenny Dalglish, who has recently returned to work at Anfield in an ambassadorial and youth development role.

The discovery was made at the address in Southport, Merseyside, on Sunday night, by police investigating an ongoing series of incidents, related to witness intimidation, that are completely unconnected to Dalglish.

The Army Bomb Disposal Team were called to the location, which was cordoned off by police.

"The device was removed and made safe and is currently undergoing forensic examination," a Merseyside Police spokeswoman is reported as saying by the Press Association.

"The road remains cordoned off at its junction with Sandringham Road and high-visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area to reassure the public.

"Detectives believe this incident is linked to a series of other recent incidents in this area and not to the owner of the property where the device was found."

The alarm was raised at 10.15pm, but it is unknown whether anyone was in the Dalglish household at the time.

Two men in their twenties were later arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.

Match Report: Singapore 0 - 5 LiverpooL

Young Hungarian striker Krisztian Nemeth scored twice and Xabi Alonso made his first pre-season appearance as Liverpool beat Singapore 5-0 at the National Stadium.

Seeking their first pre-season victory after draws with Thailand and Swiss side St Gallen and a 1-0 loss to Rapid Vienna, the Reds gave a disjointed appearance in the first half but took the lead with the final kick before half-time when Andriy Voronin's long-range effort found the net.

Albert Riera extended the advantage early in the second half before Nemeth struck twice in the final 17 minutes with a Fernando Torres effort wedged in between.

With Rafael Benitez including a number of unfamiliar faces including goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri, defenders Mikel Dominguez and Philipp Degen and forward David Ngog in his starting line-up, the Reds struggled to assert themselves in the first half against a defensively-minded Singapore side.

Ryan Babel rose above the Singapore defense to put a header straight at goalkeeper Hassan Sunny after seven minutes but apart from that, there was little to entertain the crowd in the first half as the Premier League side were restricted to shots from distance.

There were some moments of concern for the Reds as Javier Mascherano twice went to ground after heavy challenges by Mustafic Fahrudin and Noh Alam Shah and the hosts nearly took a shock lead in the 22nd minute when Shi Jiayi's through pass released Shahril Ishak whose weak shot was easily saved by Cavalieri.

But in stoppage time at the end of the half, Liverpool's opening goal arrived from out of the blue as Voronin got past the challenge of Fahrudin and, with the Singapore defense backing off, fired in an innocuous low shot that crept past a late-diving Hassan.

Buoyed by the unexpected goal, Liverpool were much improved after the break and extended their lead 10 minutes into the second half when Mascherano floated in a fine cross from the right for Riera, who chested the ball down at the far post before firing a low shot past Hassan.

The fans were clamouring for an appearance by Torres and got their wish just after the hour when he was brought on with Dirk Kuyt in place of Yossi Benayoun and Ngog.

It was the Dutchman that would make the bigger impression though setting up the last three goals, beginning in the 73rd minute when he crossed from the right for 20-year-old Nemeth to slide the ball past Hassan to make it 3-0.

Alonso came on in the 77th minute for Daniel Agger and just three minutes later started the move that ended with Kuyt crossing for an unmarked Torres to apply the finishing touch from point blank range for his first pre-season goal.

And with seven minutes left, another Kuyt cross found Nemeth, who headed home his second of the game.

Liverpool's Benitez Wowed By Singapore Fans' Adulation

Even Liverpool's normally impassive manager Rafa Benitez could not fail to be moved by the adulation and adoration of the club's local fans during a boat ride along the Singapore River on Saturday.

Benitez, who started the cruise inside the boat politely acknowledging fans through the window, ended up standing at the bow smiling and waving as enthusiastic fans cheered his name, sang songs and waved banners written in his honor.

The Spaniard, whose team are in the city-state for Sunday's friendly against Singapore, stayed outside the boat's sheltered comfort for about 15 minutes despite the crippling heat. He was joined by former Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish, who has recently returned to the Premier League club as an ambassador and director of the youth academy.

Other ex-Liverpool players in attendance were Sammy Lee, assistant coach to Benitez, and Steve McMahon, whose company the Profitable Group was responsible for bringing the 18-time English champions to Singapore for the second time in 10 years.

In another boat, carrying most of the players, goalkeeper Pepe Reina was the main livewire, engaging in good-natured banter with the hundreds of fans that thronged the riverbank.

When one supporter exhorted him to win the league title, which the club has not done since 1990, the Spanish goalkeeper replied: "Jump into the water and we'll do it for you!"

However, not all the players were as enthusiastic as Reina. Spain striker Fernando Torres, the obvious crowd favorite, waved politely several times but mostly stayed inside.

Other players were even more elusive, such as pony-tailed Andriy Voronin, recently returned from a season-long loan spell at Hertha Berlin, who kept his headphones over his ears.

Liverpool, Premier League runners-up last season, are in Asia for a two-match tour of Thailand and Singapore. They drew 1-1 with Thailand's national side on Wednesday.

The boat ride was part of the team's promotional events that have seen the players showing up at the country's many suburban shopping malls, signing autographs and holding clinics.

The team was divided into three vessels, decked with banners proclaiming "The Kop Comes to Asia", which sailed down the Singapore River into the heart of the city.

They meandered through the Central Business District, past entertainment centers Boat and Clarke Quay and the Esplanade.

However, the man most Liverpool fans wanted to see -- captain and inspiration Steven Gerrard -- was absent due to a court case for affray. He was acquitted in Liverpool on Friday.

"I'm sorry for the fans that he can't come. We have to protect the player and the best thing for him to do is to rest at home," Benitez had told an earlier news conference.

Hundreds of fans lined the riverbank, dressed in the club's famous red shirts and waving banners professing loyalty to the Merseyside team and lauding their achievements.

Some supporters ran along the two km stretch of the river screaming at their favorite players.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to see them in the flesh and to get this close," gushed secretary Stacey Lee, 22. "And they even responded to me when I called out their names."

Real Madrid Boss Pellegrini Non-Committal On Alonso Rumours

Manuel Pellegrini has given his latest thoughts on Xabi Alonso, as well as Real Madrid's failure to sell their excess players.

The Alonso saga is still no closer to completion and the latest twist was Rafa Benitez's claims that he had asked Alonso to stay at Anfield. Responding to those rumors, Pellegrini told Marca, "I do not have an opinion about what he said."

"He has his reasons and opinions, he knows his player and his club.

"I will not speak about other club's players, and definitely not about other manager's statements."

Pellegrini then touched on the indication he had given earlier that July 27 was the deadline by which he wanted his final squad assembled.

"A week ago, I said that the 27th was the ideal day for the squad to be finalized.

"But I also said that nothing should be rushed. What is important is to make correct decisions.

"If that takes time, it must be taken.

Finally, Pellegrini talked about the players that the club had yet to sell, stating, "I am not too concerned that there are still a lot of players left, but it is not ideal."

"I had hoped our squad could be finalized by now, but there is still a great environment at training.

"My job is to coach everyone."

Fernando Torres Fired Up

Fernando Torres plans to cash in on the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo as the Premier League's most fearsome hitman.

But the Liverpool superstar admits he'll only hit the glorious heights of the ex-United winger if he inspires the Kop to their Premier League holy grail.

Torres believes the title race has been blown wide open thanks to Ronaldo's £80million departure from Old Trafford.

He is relishing the prospect of filling his boots with the kind of title winning goals United had become accustomed to - and will now sorely miss.

"Of course, it's my ambition to be seen in that way, but to do that we must win trophies," said Torres.

"I know only then will people be able to speak the same way about Liverpool and me as they have done Ronaldo and United.

"First we have to win trophies as a team and to do that we have to have a fantastic season. It's true we have one of our best chances to win the title for a long time, but it's still time to be careful.

"People are saying United will be a lot weaker without Ronaldo, but I don't think so. They are still a fantastic team but of course we have a big chance.

"Maybe with Ronaldo leaving United it's not so easy to see one big favorite this time.

"We think this can be the year for Liverpool, but we know how difficult it's going to be. Chelsea are the same side as last season and Arsenal are strong.

"We are also strong, and with a great signing like Glen Johnson joining us we feel we'll be even stronger. I hope Xabi Alonso stays too because he's one of the best midfielders in the world."

Torres has vowed to ensure last season's injury woes are a thing of the past. The 25-year-old said: "It's my aim to be fit for every game this season.

"It's hard to say I feel fresher now than last season because I've only just started training again after the Confederations Cup.

"By the start of the season I'm going to be 100 per cent. I hope last season's injury problems are well behind me."

Relief For Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez believes Fernando Torres is now clear of the injury problems that plagued the Spanish striker last season.

A succession of hamstring injuries undermined Liverpool's title challenge and left the Kop boss frustrated.

Benitez said: "We are trying to keep Torres fit and last year we had a specific plan. But now it is a case where I don't think he will have special treatment.

"We have all the medical staff and coaches checking everything. He has been away with Spain in the Confederations Cup so we have to be careful."

Benitez will hold talks with Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano over the next 24 hours and is confident one if not both will stay at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard Cheered By Fans As He's Cleared Of Affray In Bar Brawl Court Case

Steven Gerrard was cheered by supporters as he left court a free man yesterday, after being cleared of attacking a man in a bar brawl.

The England star admitted punching Marcus McGee three times but a jury took 75 minutes to find him not guilty of affray.

With his hands clasped behind his back, the Liverpool captain, who has scored more than 100 goals for the Reds, stood alone in the dock as the verdict was announced.

Gerrard, 29, showed no emotion as he learned he had been cleared.

The Judge, Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, told him: "You can walk away from this court with your reputation intact."

A relieved-looking Gerrard emerged from Liverpool crown court to cheers, applause and shouts of, "Come on, Rocky."

He told the fans: "Can I just say how pleased I am with today's verdict. I would like to put this case behind me.

"I am really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football now.

"I would just like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me. Thank you."

Club manager Rafa Benitez echoed his relief yesterday.

Benitez, who is in Singapore for Liverpool's pre-season match there on Sunday, said: "We are really pleased. Now he can just concentrate on playing football."

And Gerrard wasted no time getting back on the pitch. He played for Liverpool XI against Tranmere Rovers last night, scoring in their 2-2 draw. He had not joined the rest of the first team squad in Singapore because of his trial.

But his team-mates heard the verdict during a training session at the Singapore National Stadium. Led by Jamie Carragher, the squad linked arms and danced as fans started chanting Gerrard's name.

Gerrard always maintained he was acting in self-defense when he clashed with Mr McGee in the Lounge Inn bar in Southport, Merseyside, on December 29 last year. But Mr. McGee spoke of his fury last night at the verdict.

He said: "I can't believe this. What message does this give to any young lad who goes into a pub at the weekend?"

Gerrard and a group of friends had gone to the Lounge Inn following Liverpool's 5-1 victory over Newcastle United, during which he had scored twice. CCTV footage showed his party drinking beer, dancing and singing football songs.

But after Gerrard argued with McGee over the music a fight broke out. CCTV footage showed him landing three uppercuts at Mr. McGee, before being dragged away.

The fight continued without him and later a second brawl broke out, not involving Gerrard.

Mr. McGee, 34, lost a front crown and needed stitches to a head wound as a result of his injuries.

Five of Gerrard's pals admitted affray earlier this week and a sixth admitted threatening behavior.

But Gerrard always insisted he was trying to resolve the dispute and that he only lashed out at Mr. McGee in self-defense.

He told the jury: "I am sorry about the whole incident." The judge had reminded the jury to put aside their football loyalties while considering the evidence.

After the verdict, he told Gerrard: "With hindsight you may agree it was unwise of you to have approached Marcus McGee in an attempt to speak to him about your earlier trivial disagreement.

"However, that is far cry from saying you were criminally responsible for the violence which thereafter erupted."

He said that CCTV proved it was his pal John Doran who had launched the initial assault.

Gerrard's friends Ian Smith, 19, Doran, 29, Paul McGrattan, 31, and Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, all admitted affray.

Another friend John McGrattan, 34, admitted threatening behaviour. They will be sentenced next month.

Liverpool Players Jump For Joy On Hearing Their Captain Steven Gerrard Is Free

Steven Gerrard’s jubilant Liverpool team-mates last night celebrated their skipper’s not-guilty verdict like one of his winning goals.

The ecstatic players jumped in the air, roaring with delight when they were told he had been cleared of affray as they trained 6,700 miles away in Singapore’s national stadium.

Several hundred Reds fans watching the session immediately started singing Gerrard’s name.

Boss Rafa Benitez said: "We’re really pleased. He’s very important for us and he can now focus just on football. We’ve been supporting him all the time and were waiting for this decision."

Gerrard, 29, who was forced to miss the two-match Asia tour to attend his trial, said: "I’m glad to put this case behind me. I’m really looking forward to the season and concentrating on my football."

Jason McAteer: Steven Gerrard Will Not Be Affected By Court Case

Steven Gerrard will be totally unfazed by his court case, according to former team-mate Jason McAteer.

Liverpool skipper Gerrard played against Tranmere Rovers on Friday - the day he was acquitted of affray at Liverpool Crown Court.

And McAteer, who is the assistant boss at Prenton Park, said: "Steven Gerrard is an absolute credit to Liverpool and to himself and he will just be pleased this is over and done with.

"He will put this behind him, I am sure. The best place to be sometimes is out on the pitch, away from all the distractions, so Stevie will be absolutely fine. He is very mentally tough and this will not affect him.

"I expect Stevie to have another amazing season for Liverpool.

"He never lets them down."

Barcelona's Josep Guardiola Holds Little Hope Of Signing Liverpool's Javier Mascherano

Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola has admitted it will be difficult to sign Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano this summer.

The Spanish league champions have been linked with a move for the Argentinean midfielder consistently this summer, with the player's agent Walter Tamer claiming that he would prefer a move to the Camp Nou.

But Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is, of course, reluctant to sell Mascherano and has previously stated that the player has no price and is extremely important to the club.

And while Guardiola was full of praise for Mascherano, he also declared his belief that signing the player is unlikely, given Benitez's stance.

"Of course we know Mascherano, he's a huge player," Guardiola told Sky Sports News, after Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the Wembley Cup.

"He's at a huge team, with a great manager in Benitez.

"But if he [Benitez] wants to keep Mascherano, then it is a problem."

Barcelona are, meanwhile, set to complete the signing of Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Samuel Eto'o ready to go the other way in the deal.

Gerrard Makes Scoring Return

Steven Gerrard swept away the stress of his courtroom battle to score a trademark goal on his return to action on Friday night.

Just hours after being found not guilty of affray by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court, the Reds captain made a surprise appearance in a pre-season friendly at Tranmere.

In a Liverpool XI otherwise comprised of reserves and youth players, Gerrard scored his team's first equalizer in a 2-2 draw at Prenton Park, blasting home a low drive from outside the box.

The news will have been welcomed on the other side of the world, where Rafael Benitez and the rest of his first-team players are currently engaged in a pre-season tour of the Far East.

Benitez was told of Gerrard's acquittal during a training session and said: "We are really pleased. He is very important for us and he can now focus just on football.

"We are all pleased at the club and over here at the training camp.

We have been supporting him all the time and were just waiting for the decision. Now he can concentrate just on football and hopefully play at the same level as last year."

This has not been the smoothest of pre-seasons for Benitez, and the Far East tour this week has been dogged by a succession of problems.

Injuries to Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar which forced the players to return to England for treatment have come on top of the continued transfer saga surrounding Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Alvaro Arbeloa.

But as he prepared his side for Sunday's friendly against Singapore, Benitez was relieved that the cloud hanging over Gerrard has now been swept away after he was acquitted at Liverpool Crown Court following an incident in Southport on December 29 last year.

Gerrard has missed the Far East trip because of the week-long trial, and will be reunited with his team-mates next week when Liverpool return to the UK.

Speaking outside court after the verdict, Gerrard said: "Can I just say how pleased I am with today's verdict.

"I'd like to put this case behind me. I'm really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and to everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me."

Benitez also confirmed that Real Madrid target Alonso was fit following an ankle injury and ready to play against Singapore.

Benitez, who also has Yossi Benayoun back from an ankle problem, said: "I am very happy to have Yossi and Xabi back. They are working very hard, the tempo of the session was fantastic and the fans really enjoyed it.

"We are trying to step up our training every day, especially for the international players. Today we had three teams playing against each other. It was good competition and pleasing for me to see."

Real Madrid To Sign Alvaro Arbeloa From Liverpool Next Week

Real Madrid could be set to sign Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa as early as next week.

The Spanish right-back could be about to make a return to his native country in a deal worth around €5 million (£4.5m), according to a report in The Sun today.

Officials at the Santiago Bernabeu have recently expressed their ongoing interest in signing the former Deportiva La Coruna stopper this summer.

Los Merengues' sporting director, Jorge Valdano, said, "Arbeloa is a basic part of our plans."

Fellow director Miguel Pardeza commented in the last few days, "Liverpool do not really have the desire to let him go, even though he has just a year left on his contract.

"But there is a month to go in the market and anything can change, and I would not deny that we would very much like to have Arbeloa."

Meanwhile, Arbeloa's agent, Manuel Garcia Quillon, has said he expects the matter to be resolved soon.

"Discussions with Real are not over and I expect a solution early next week," Quillon said.

Liverpool have already installed a replacement for Arbeloa in the form of ex-Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson.

Ryan Babel Can Be One Of Premier League's Best - Liverpool Legend John Barnes

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Ryan Babel could be a key player for the club next season.

The Dutch wide-man hasn't quite cemented himself a first-team place since joining the Reds, but started his pre-season well this summer, scoring against Thailand on Wednesday.

Barnes, now manager at Tranmere Rovers, believes Babel is capable of becoming one of the very best in England and could be pivotal to this season's Premier League push.

"Ryan is a fantastic player," Barnes told the club's official website.

"What we need to do is find how to get the best out of him because getting the right environment which suits the players is the most important thing.

"He is a great player and if we can find the right blend and formation for him to show us what he can do I believe he can be one of the best players in the Premier League."

Barnes was also full of praise for Reds manager Rafael Benitez and is optimistic the club can add a 19th league title to their trophy cabinet this season.

He continued, "You look at what Liverpool achieved coming so close last year and it just goes to show what a great job 'Rafa' has done at the club. We want to have a serious challenge year in year out and hopefully this next season will be the one."

Liverpool FC Legend Kenny Dalglish Defends Manager Rafa Benitez’s Singapore Rotation

Some Singaporeans are going to be left crying into their Tiger beer tomorrow. There is clamour here for Rafa Benitez to throw all his star names into action from the start when they take on the national team (noon kick-off UK time).

Liverpool’s visit has even managed to knock swine flu off the front pages with The New Paper dedicating seven pages of coverage to the Reds’ stay in the former British colony.

Their front page headline yesterday issued the plea: “Dear Rafa, Please play your best 11”.

Inside they urged fans desperate to see their heroes to sign an online petition, saying: “How would you feel if the likes of Glen Johnson, Javier Mascherano and Pepe Reina only play a half, Fernando Torres plays just 10 minutes and Xabi Alonso doesn’t play at all?

“That was exactly what happened on Wednesday when the Reds played against Thailand.

“With captain Steven Gerrard already missing the tour and Martin Skrtel out injured, don’t you think you deserve the biggest bang for your buck?”

However, they aren’t going to get their way.

Benitez used 26 players against Thailand in Bangkok and it’s likely to be a similar story tomorrow.

With 30 degree heat and intense humidity, few are likely to feature for more than a half.

To fans here this might be the biggest match of their life but for Benitez it is just another step on the road to ensuring the Reds are ready for the start of the Premier League in three weeks.

Reds legend Kenny Dalglish, who is on the tour in his role as club ambassador, believes any criticism of the manager’s selection policy is unfair.

“The most important match coming up is the one against Tottenham,” he said.

“That is the one the players are being prepared for.

“It’s been difficult for Rafa to manage the situation with players coming back to start pre-season at different times with different levels of fitness.

“The Spanish lads and Andrea Dossena only rejoined the squad last weekend.

“You could never expect any player to come back and after two days training start a game, let alone play the full 90 minutes.

“The fact those players played any part at all in Thailand was a real bonus for everyone.

“I’m sure it will be much the same on Sunday. The players will have another couple of days training and 15 or 20 minutes game time behind them.

“They might be better prepared to play for a bit longer but the best person to make that judgement is Rafa.

“I don’t think the people in Thailand or Singapore should take it any other way.

“It’s certainly not Rafa trying to be ungrateful or disrespectful in any shape or form. It’s just a fact of life.

“Wherever these games had been played it would have been exactly the same.

“Rafa knows the players best and the last thing he wants is for anyone to not be fit for the first game against Tottenham.

“We’ve already lost Martin Skrtel with a hamstring injury and we have to protect against losing anyone else.

“I know Rafa will manage the situation well with his knowledge and intelligence. The best team for a particular game might not be the biggest names.”

Dalglish was speaking alongside Xabi Alonso at an Adidas coaching clinic held at Victoria Junior College yesterday.

They were joined by Liverpool academy coaches Mike Garrity and Carl Macauley who put the youngsters through their paces.

One of the many banners welcoming the stars read ‘Don’t go Alonso, don’t be like Owen’.

Uncertainty over the future of both Alonso and Javier Mascherano is dragging on but Dalglish insists it’s had no impact on the Reds’ preparations.

“I don’t think it has any affect at all,” he added. “The players are used to speculation. It’s a fact of life and you have just got to get on with it.

“From what I’ve seen the players are doing superbly well. They have trained well and look in good shape. I just think it’s fantastic for Liverpool to come here and get closer to the people who support this football club.

“It’s a great thrill for the children to see the likes of Xabi Alonso and spend a bit of time with him.”

Tomorrow’s opponents Singapore are ranked 127th in the world – 10 places below Thailand – but they have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes since former Notts County keeper Raddy Avramovic took over in 2003.

The Lions held Australia to a goalless draw here last year and for the first time they reached the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

Having knocked out Palestine and Tajikistan their hopes were dashed as they finished third in the group stage behind Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.

Their squad includes English-born duo John Wilkinson and Daniel Bennett.

Wilkinson is a 29-year-old former Exeter City midfielder who opted for Singaporean citizenship after marrying a local girl, while Bennett changed his nationality in 2002 and the defender has had two spells with Wrexham.

Skrtel Injury Worry For Liverpool

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel could miss the start of the Premier League season after suffering an injury in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Thailand.

A scan revealed the 24-year-old has strained his hamstring and he is expected to be out for three weeks.

Striker Nabil El Zhar, 22, also limped off in the same game after spraining a medial ligament in his right knee, which will keep him out for four weeks.

Both players have flown home and will miss Sunday's match against Singapore.

Full-back Glen Johnson will also sit out the final friendly of the club's Far Eastern tour in order to rest his Achilles injury.

However, Real Madrid target Xabi Alonso and Israeli star Yossi Benayoun successfully came through training after recovering from ankle injuries and will be available to play.

Liverpool get their season underway on Sunday, 16 August against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, a match which Skrtel is now doubtful for.

The Slovakia international featured 30 times for Liverpool last season and his absence would be a major blow to manager Rafael Benitez.

El Zhar has only started four games since arriving at Anfield from French side St Etienne in 2006 but Benitez recently handed the Moroccan a new deal to tie him to the club until 2012.

Midfielder Steven Gerrard, who missed the Reds' Far East pre-season tour in order to attend a court case, will not join up with the club for the Singapore game despite being found not guilty of affray.

"We were in touch with him every day and knew what was happening and we were confident everything would be okay," said Benitez.

"Now we need to take care of him, he must rest.

"I have to protect my players. We have already lost two to injury, Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar."

Fans in Asia had been disappointed at missing out on seeing Gerrard whose image was used prominently in promotional material to sell tickets.

"I'm sorry for the fans that we can't bring Gerrard but he is the captain of the team so he is a key player for the rest of the season," added Benitez.

"I hope the fans can respect the decision. We have other big names like Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano and they are all here."

Memory Loss Latest Of Liverpool FC Defender Phillip Degen’s ailments

It seems that Philipp Degen has a selective memory.

The Swiss right-back insisted this week he is not injury prone and is relishing a “new start” at Anfield after his first campaign was a nightmare.

Degen managed just two senior appearances last season and both were eventful.

He collided with Sami Hyypia in the Carling Cup match against Crewe and broke two ribs and punctured his lung.

When he returned for the tie with Spurs he suffered a broken metatarsal.

After returning to action back in January he was swiftly sidelined again after picking up a foot injury playing for the Reserves.

“Last year was a very sad year for me," Degen said.

“I have never had a season like last season before when I was injured all the time.

“I came to a new club wanting to show what I could do but it wasn't possible.”

This is the same player who only made 10 appearances for Borussia Dortmund in the 2007/8 campaign as he spent most of the campaign on the treatment table.

Roma Lay Eyes On Liverpool Striker Andriy Voronin

Roma have laid eyes on Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin as head coach Luciano Spalletti steps up his striker search.

According to Il Corriere Dello Sport, Voronin, who has returned to Anfield following his loan spell at Hertha Berlin, is admired by Spalletti.

The Italian coach recently claimed he wanted "a striker who can play on the wings with speed". Voronin fits the bill, and the Giallorossi are ready to make a move.

The report suggests Liverpool would be willing to sell the Ukrainian hitman to Roma, but the Italians do not have the cash to buy at the moment. A loan deal is being mooted, but voices surrounding Voronin suggest he only wants a permanent three-year deal. Voronin is currently on €2 million-per-season at Anfield, but the Giallorossi would only be able to stretch to €1.5m.

A part-exchange deal involving Lupi midfielder Alberto Aquilani has also been mooted. The Italians have already claimed Aquilani may be sold for the right money, and recent reports implied Liverpool were eyeing the Roman as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, who has been linked with Real Madrid.

The third option Roma have is a co-ownership deal. Liverpool could offer the Giallorossi a stake in Voronin plus €15m in return for Aquilani.

No official comment regarding the deal has been made.

Benitez Holds Alonso Talks

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has held talks with Real Madrid target Xabi Alonso and has urged the midfielder to stay at Anfield.

Spanish giants Real have made no secret of their desire to take the £35million-rated Reds star to the Bernabeu as they look to continue lavish summer spending.

Liverpool have stood firm and refused to budge from their valuation of Alonso, despite the Spaniard admitting he was flattered by Real's interest.

Benitez held talks with the 27-year-old on Friday during the Reds pre-season tour of Asia and has used supporters' admiration as an example of why he should stay.

"I talked to Xabi yesterday and told him, as he can see here, that the fans love him and I said to him, 'maybe you have to stay," Benitez said on Saturday.

"You can see he is a really good player and I'll be really pleased if he stays. All the players and his team-mates want him to stay. If we keep Xabi I will be very pleased."

Alonso has received rapturous support from fans in Singapore and he is expected to play some part in Liverpool's game against the national team on Sunday.

Rafa Benitez Is Right To Get All Godfather With Real Madrid Over Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid's sporting director Miguel Pardeza is livid. He "cannot understand" why Liverpool are asking £35million or "more than we are willing to pay" for Xavi Alonso.

Well, it might just be that Alonso has years left on his contract. Or that Real have distorted transfer fees out of all proportion, are desperate to sign a top Spanish player and Pardeza himself admits there is no one else on the market with Alonso's playmaking skills.

But I'd like to think Rafa Benitez might deliver Senator Pat Geary's speech from Godfather II, when Michael Corleone asked why his family should have to pay more than they want to in a deal.

"Because I intend to squeeze you. I don't like your kind of people. I don't like to see you come here with your oily hair, dressed up in those silk suits, trying to pass yourselves off as decent. I'll do business with you, but the fact is I despise your masquerade, the dishonest way you pose yourself and your whole freakin' family."

If so, he'll speak for everyone in football.

Benitez Is Satisfied With Liverpool FC's Asia Workout

Rafa Benitez insists he is happy with Liverpool’s pre-season build-up, despite a winless start to their summer program.

The Reds arrived in Singapore for the second leg of their Far East tour yesterday following their 1-1 draw with Thailand in Bangkok.

Previously they were held 0-0 by St Gallen and lost 1-0 to Rapid Vienna, but Benitez has urged fans not to read too much into those results.

“I think our pre-season is going well,” he said.

“It is very difficult when you have a lot of players away who come back much later.

“For example Fernando Torres and the rest of the Spanish players have trained for only three days.

“On Wednesday he played 10 minutes and was very good, but after three days training I wasn’t expecting a performance like that.

“It’s impossible to make any judgments when players have only trained for a few days.

“We have to analyze the team after maybe two more weeks.”

The Reds were set to train twice today as they stepped up their preparations for Sunday’s clash with the Singapore national team.

“For us to be here is a great experience,” Benitez added.

“For the club it’s a great opportunity and we have to approach it in a positive way.

“Hopefully we won’t have any more injuries and we will be able to train properly.”

The club denied speculation that a fee had been agreed with Real Madrid for Xabi Alonso and Benitez once again refused to comment on the midfielder’s future. Alonso missed the game against Thailand with an ankle injury.

Benitez hit back at reports Javier Mascherano’s agent had said the Argentine was keen to quit the Reds.

“Like I said before, Alonso will enjoy the weather, the fans and the journalists,” Benitez said. “If he is ready by Sunday then he will play.

“As for Mascherano, you have a big problem now in the press.

“There are too many websites, too many newspapers, too many radio and TV stations who have to compete every day.

“It seems sometimes you read news that is 15 days out of date.”

Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar were due to arrive back in Liverpool today after injury cut short their stay in the Far East.

Skrtel suffered a hamstring problem against Thailand and El Zhar damaged knee ligaments.

Both will undergo scans at Melwood in order to reveal the extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid sporting director Miguel Pardeza revealed the Alonso deal is in limbo, but he still hopes to buy full-back Alvaro Arbeloa.

“From day one, Liverpool have asked for more than Madrid are ready to pay (for Alonso) and it’s very difficult to understand,” he said.

“But I’ve not lost hope that things can be resolved.

“With Arbeloa there was an option which, at the moment, has come to nothing.”

Fans Progress With Plans To Buy Liverpool

Time passes on in the efforts of Liverpool’s American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to mobilize funds to manage the mammoth £350 million debt.

The Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia are expected to grant the owners a further extension on the loans, which are set to expire tomorrow.

Meanwhile, according to a report in the Irish Independent, two groups of fans - Spirit of Shankly and ShareLiverpoolFC - formed due to dissatisfaction with the current owners, are hoping to realise their dream by purchasing a majority stake in the Merseyside club.

ShareLiverpoolFC is planning to raise £10m by selling shares at £500 on a one-person-one-share basis, and an additional £140m through the sale of additional loan stock to the fans. Once the £150m has been raised, the support groups plan to use these funds to bid for a majority stake in the club in order to gain control, and seek a further £100m from a commercial partner.

The ambitious fans plan to exchange the remaining debt £100m by making it a convertible loan stock in the club, which the banks would buy over a 20-year period.

ShareLiverpoolFC and Spirit of Shankly were formed 18 months ago after the supporters grew dissatisfied with Hicks and Gillett's running of the club.

Benitez Will Swoop For Silva If Valencia Cash In

The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez is ready to intensify his interest in Valencia's David Silva, his negotiating position enhanced by the Spanish club's diminishing prospects of selling their other prime asset, David Villa.

Valencia, a club in severe financial crisis, may be forced to reduce their initial £25m demand for Silva, which put Benitez off in May and the manager will be able to offer the entire amount up front if Real Madrid adhere to his own demands that their £30m-plus outlay on Xabi Alonso comes in one upfront payment, as did their £80m to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Valencia's hard initial negotiating position arose because Villa seemed destined to leave the Mestalla and there was a desire to keep Silva. But Barcelona's part-exchange move for Internazionale's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic means that Villa may well not be leaving Spain. Samuel Eto'o's agent yesterday confirmed that the Cameroonian would be the makeweight in a deal for Ibrahimovic. "He will start working with Inter next week" said Josep Maria Mesalles.

The 23-year-old Silva can play wide, as a withdrawn striker or as an attacking midfielder and is not a straight replacement for Alonso. Valencia have been on the brink of bankruptcy all summer and will accept nothing less than a straight cash deal for him.

Where Alonso is concerned, Benitez is also holding out for a Madrid player to be included in the deal, with striker Alvaro Negredo still a possibility. If Real agree to include Negredo then the defender Alvaro Arbeloa would be likely to join Alonso in moving to the Bernabeu. Silva is reluctant to switch to England but will make an exception for Liverpool where he would be joining Spain team-mates Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres.

Alonso seems more likely than Javier Mascherano to leave, as the midfield uncertainties that have plagued Benitez all summer continue to drag on. Barcelona had coveted Mascherano and had wanted to deploy him in front of Kolo Touré, but the £50m Liverpool would expect seems, as they had hoped, to have priced the European champions out of the market. The player's agent, Walter Tamer, has been sounding desperate over the last couple of days. Juventus's Christian Poulsen appears to be a cheaper option for Barcelona.

Real Madrid technical director, Miguel Pardeza, said yesterday that the club still held out hope they can persuade Liverpool to part with Alonso, though not at any price because the player would not sell many shirts.

Real's general director Jorge Valdano has ruled out new signings until the club starts offloading players. After confirming that Klaas van Huntelaar had turned down a move to Stuttgart because he had "other expectations", Valdano said: "Until some of the players leave it is going to be very difficult." Madrid had rather unrealistically hoped to bring in around €100m (£85.6m) with the sale of up to seven players, but stars such as Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistelrooy have shown no interest in leaving.

Liverpool To Decide On Andrea Dossena To Napoli Move

Andrea Dossena is waiting for Liverpool to make a decision on his future, according to his agent Roberto La Florio.

The Azzurri have made an offer for the Italian left-back as they attempt to strengthen their back line. Liverpool need to respond, and La Florio is hoping for a good outcome.

"We are waiting. Napoli and Liverpool have to find an agreement," La Florio told Tuttomercatoweb.com.

"Napoli came out of the blue with the offer to Liverpool and now the English club have to decide whether to allow Dossena to leave.

"If Liverpool allow it, then we are ready to deal with Napoli."

On Thursday, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed an interest in the former Udinese man.

Liverpool Plotting Shock Swoop For Portsmouth's Peter Crouch

Liverpool are reported to be plotting a shock return to Anfield for Peter Crouch.

Crouch had looked set to join Tottenham Hotspur after rejecting the chance to move to Sunderland, but Spurs are supposedly having trouble raising the requisite finances.

According to The Daily Star, Rafael Benitez has asked to be kept informed of developments, and is pondering making a £12 million bid for the man he sold to Portsmouth last summer.

Crouch spent three years at Liverpool and was a regular in the first team until Fernando Torres' arrival from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007.

Fulham were also thought to be in the race, but they are unlikely to follow up their interest. It remains to be seen, however, whether Crouch would want to move back to Merseyside, where he is unlikely to be a first-choice player.

Reds Snap Up Sama

Liverpool have bolstered their academy ranks with the signing of German teenager Stephen Sama from Borussia Dortmund.

The 16-year-old defender has been snapped up before Dortmund could secure him on a professional contract.

He has penned a deal that ties him to Anfield until June 2012 and follows in the footsteps of Christopher Buchtmann, who also joined from the Bundesliga club.

However, Dortmund youth director Peter Wazinski believes Sama has a long way to go before he is the finished article and has told Liverpool he is not such an exciting prospect as Buchtmann.

"This time they did not look closely enough," Wazinski told Reviersport.

"Stephen was already a substitute last season, unlike Christopher Buchtmann was when he joined them.

"In terms of Stephen Sama, the transfer does not hurt us in any way, except that there is always a better moment to join another club than in the middle of pre-season."

Steven Gerrard's Relief After Being Cleared Of Affray

Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard spoke of his relief on Friday following his speedy acquittal from a charge of affray.

The jury cleared the midfielder of unjustly attacking a man in a bar after deliberating for just 70 minutes at Liverpool Crown Court.

Gerrard, 29, was greeted with cheers and shouts of "come on Rocky" outside the court following the four-day trial.

The Liverpool FC midfielder said: "Can I just say how pleased I am with today’s verdict.

"I’d like to put this case behind me.

"I’m really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football.

"I’d like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and to everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me."

His boss, the Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez, also voiced his joy at the news.

Mr. Benitez, who is in Singapore ahead of their game against the national team there on Sunday, said: "We are really pleased. He is very important for us and he can now focus just on football.

"We are all pleased at the club and over here at the training camp. We have been supporting him all the time and were just waiting for the decision.

"Now he can concentrate just on football and hopefully play at the same level as last year."

Gerrard, of Formby, Merseyside, admitted hitting Marcus McGee, 34, but denied affray saying it was in self-defense.

The footballer, who is married to the model Alex Curran, had been at the Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside, on December 29 to celebrate Liverpool FC’s 5-1 demolition of Newcastle United hours earlier.

The Reds’ captain, who scored twice in the game, was enjoying a night out with a party of friends, including Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, 58.

CCTV footage from the bar showed Gerrard and his friends drinking beer, downing shots and dancing around while chanting football songs.

But trouble flared at around 2am when the father-of-two wanted to change the music on the CD player.

Prosecutor David Turner QC told the jury of seven women and five men that Gerrard "lost it" after Marcus McGee, a member of another group who had been asked to organize the music that night, refused his request.

The prosecution painted him as a spoilt star who was accustomed to being idolized and getting what he wants.

Mr. Turner described his reaction to Mr. McGee’s refusal as a "huff" and said Mr. Gerrard punched the victim "with the style and speed of a professional boxer".

But Gerrard told the jury he was shocked by Mr. McGee’s attitude and wanted to smooth things over.

He told the court: "I asked Marcus what was the problem with the music machine and why he treated me like that.

"Very quickly he came off the bar stool and was in my face right by me."

He told his defense counsel, John Kelsey-Fry that he hit out at Mr. McGee in self-defense.

He said: "I firmly believed Marcus came towards me to hit me."

In reality, CCTV shows that, unknown to either the victim or the footballer, Mr. McGee was reacting to being elbowed by John Doran, 29, a school friend of Gerrard’s.

Gerrard described raising his left arm to grab the back of Mr. McGee’s jumper.

He said: "I grabbed the back of his jumper as he moved forward to me. When I had hold of Marcus, I remember swinging my right hand two or three times."

He said the incident took about four or five seconds before he was "pushed and pulled" away from Mr. McGee.

Gerrard apologized for what happened, telling the jury: "I am sorry about the whole incident."

After throwing the punches at Mr. McGee, Gerrard was pulled away by a barman to another part of the venue as some of his friends attacked Mr. McGee.

Five of them have admitted affray. They are Ian Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton, and Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport.

Another friend, John McGrattan, 34, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, admitted threatening behaviour.

The six men will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on August 7.

Gerrard Verdict Is A Boost To Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was delighted his captain Steven Gerrard could now "focus on football" after being cleared of affray on Friday.

This has not been the smoothest of pre-seasons for Benitez, as injuries to Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar forced the pair to return to England for treatment, while speculation continued around the futures of Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Alvaro Arbeloa.

Benitez was told of Gerrard's acquittal during a training session and said: "We are really pleased. He is very important for us and he can now focus just on football."

He added: "We are all pleased at the club and over here at the training camp.

"We have been supporting him all the time and were just waiting for the decision. Now he can concentrate just on football and hopefully play at the same level as last year."

As he prepared his side for Sunday's friendly against Singapore, Benitez was relieved that the cloud hanging over Gerrard has now been swept away after he was acquitted at Liverpool Crown Court following an incident in Southport on December 29 last year.

Gerrard has missed the Far East trip because of the week-long trial, and will be reunited with his team-mates next week when Liverpool return to the UK.

Benitez also confirmed that Real Madrid target Alonso was fit following an ankle injury and ready to play against Singapore.

Benitez, who also has Yossi Benayoun back from an ankle problem, said: "I am very happy to have Yossi and Xabi back. They are working very hard, the tempo of the session was fantastic and the fans really enjoyed it.

"We are trying to step up our training every day, especially for the international players. We had three teams playing against each other. It was good competition and pleasing for me to see."

Liverpool Legend Kenny Dalglish Praises Gerrard's Character In Court

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to Steven Gerrard in a statement read out during his court case.

Gerrard is currently facing charges of causing affray, and he has received strong support from Dalglish.

The former Scottish international's statement was read out in court, and The Mirror quote it as saying, "I have known Steven Gerrard since he came to Liverpool FC as a 14 year old.

"He is not the archetypal footballer, he does not seek publicity. He does not like moving in movie star circles and does not measure his success by column inches in newspapers.

"In many ways he is different to what people think of as a superstar footballer. He likes to move in private circles.

"He accepts the fact that he is a talented footballer and he is very well paid for what he loves to do, playing football."

Dalglish continued, "Despite the fame and obvious wealth that comes with his level of success, he has not forgotten his roots or where he has come from. I believe those values have been instilled in him by his mum and dad, who I have also met and who are lovely people.

"He is a very respectful young man. He is a humble man and his personality could be described as quiet.

"Stevie receives a lot of grief for simply trying to be normal.”

Liverpool Can Win The Premier League - Fernando Torres

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, who made his first appearance of the Reds' pre-season program yesterday as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 draw with Thailand, is confident that the Merseysiders can end their 20-year wait for a league title in the coming campaign.

"Two years without a trophy is a long time for a club like Liverpool," he told the club's official website. "But we believe we can do it this year.

"It won't be easy because there are big challenges ahead but we think we can win."

Israeli international Yossi Benayoun echoed the Spaniard's sentiments, and was looking forward to continuing his excellent form into the new campaign.

"I have a lot of confidence in this team," said Benayoun. "We have a belief in the squad that we can win the league but we have to work hard and keep improving.

"Personally I want this to be an even better season for me,” he continued. “I want to take my chances and help the team."

Rafa Plays Down Alonso & Mascherano Talks

Rafa Benitez has moved to play down talk of Xabi Alonso leaving Liverpool.

The Spanish midfielder did not play in the 1-1 friendly draw with Thailand on Wednesday, and was quoted as saying he could offer no 'guarantees' about his future.

Real Madrid are still keen to sign Alonso, and reports in the Spanish on Thursday claimed a deal was all but done.

However, Liverpool have denied this, and Benitez said after the squad arrived in Singapore on Thursday: "Alonso is here and he will enjoy the weather and the fans and the journalists.

"He is ready and can play."

A Liverpool spokesman backed up his manager, saying: "Xabi is with us in Singapore, and will train with the rest of the squad. He was injured ahead of the Thailand game, people can say what they like about that.

"And there has been no deal agreed with anyone for his transfer to anyone."

Benitez went on to dismiss speculation that Javier Mascherano also wants out of Anfield.

His agent, Walter Tamer, was quoted on Wednesday as saying the Argentine midfielder was tired of life in England, and favoured a move to Barcelona.

However, Benitez said: "In the press these days there are too many websites, too many newspapers, radio, television. You have to have stories every day so sometimes you repeat something from 15 days ago.

"It's much the same situation, he knows our ideas. He's been working very hard and he's a very important player for us."

Liverpool FC: Refinancing Talks With Bank Set To Drag On

Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the owners of English Premier League club Liverpool, are unlikely to agree refinancing terms with RBS before this Friday’s deadline.

The two American businessmen have made regular appearances on sports pages on both sides of the Atlantic in recent weeks.

Gillett has agreed to sell the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey franchise for more than US$500 million.

Hicks, meanwhile, has dissolved Hicks Sports Marketing Group as he looks to sell off one of his sport franchises.

The Liverpool refinancing deal, meanwhile, continues to drag on.

‘The two parties have been in talks for several months and both sides have expressed confidence that a deal will be done.

It may not be concluded by the end of this week however, despite that being the date for the loan’s expiry given in the most recent accounts for the club’s holding company,‘ reports the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Benitez Backing For Gerrard

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists that captain Steven Gerrard has the full support of the club.

The England international is currently on trial at Liverpool Crown Court on a charge of affray following an incident at a Southport bar last December.

Gerrard is therefore absent from Liverpool's ongoing pre-season tour of the Far East, but Benitez is confident his skipper will soon rejoin the rest of the squad.

"I talk with him everyday, it is okay," Benitez told a press conference broadcast on Sky Sports News. "He has the support of the club and, for sure, the fans.

"I think that it will be okay so we are confident that everything will be good and at the end he will be playing for us and scoring a lot of goals."

Philipp Degen Looking Forward To Injury-Free Season At Liverpool

Philipp Degen is looking forward to making his first Premier League appearance for Liverpool this season.

Degen signed for the Reds on a free transfer before last season, but only managed two League Cup appearances due to a horrific run of injuries.

Having appeared in all the club's pre-season games thus far, he is now hoping for a better campaign.

The wing-back told Liverpool's official website, "Last year was a very sad year for me.

"I have worked hard during the holidays and now I feel really good. I am not yet at 100 per cent match fitness but I am feeling better every day.

"It's a new season and a new start for me. I have never had a season like last season before when I was injured all the time.

"I came to a new club wanting to show what I could do but it wasn't possible. I was injured, injured, injured and I know the fans were thinking I am that sort of player, but it isn't true.

"I want to fight to prove myself now and that's why I am looking forward to this year so much."

However, Degen faces a fight to claim a first-team place, following the big-money signing of Glen Johnson. He is not too worried, though.

"That is life at a big club like Liverpool," added the Swiss international.

"I will do all I can to show what I can do. That's the most important thing for me."

Rasmus Elm: Liverpool To Battle Everton For The ‘Swedish Beckham’

Everton are believed to be leading the chase for Swedish starlet Rasmus Elm after the player recently visited Goodison Park. However Skyports.com are reporting that Liverpool and Valencia have also joined the race for the midfielder’s signature. However, other admirers include Fulham, Stoke, Ajax and PSV.

It’s of little surprise that the player has attracted so much attention after an excellent European U21 Championships as well as superb league form for his club side Kalmar.

Elm has scored an impressive 8 goals in just 15 league games this season which leaves him one strike behind the leading scorers in the Swedish top division. Despite being just 21, Elm has made a total of 92 league appearances for his club while scoring 16 goals (64 starts). The midfielder made his debut in 2005 and has gone from strength to strength since with all 16 goals coming in the last 3 seasons.

Not only has Elm impressed for the U21 side but has also broken into the full senior side with 6 caps to his name plus one goal which came in a friendly v Austria back in February. Since returning from the U21 championships, his club form has gone from strength to strength with 5 goals in his last three league appearances.

Rasmus is the youngest of three brothers who have all played for Kalmar and he played a key role in the club’s first ever league title in 2008. His two brothers also impressed with the eldest 26-year-old David weighing in with 7 goals and 23-year-old Viktor scoring 15 goals.

Rasmus can play either in central midfield or on the right. The 6ft star has neat feet, good passing ability and a strong midfield engine. He is also renowned for his set-pieces and superb long-range shooting which saw him finish joint-top in last season’s assists league alongside the legendary figure of Henrik Larsson. Another important strength of the player is his Rory Delap-like long throw which explains why he is regarded as one of Tony Pulis’ main Stoke targets.

Fulham have shown an interest since December which is unsurprising as manager Roy Hodgson is an expert in the Scandinavian market. However, Everton did appear to be favourites after the player’s visit although comments from the player suggest he has yet to make up his mind. Elm told Sportbladet, “I don’t want to rush the decision. I have had to focus fully on Champions League qualification.

“I will continue to think about it and I might make a decision in a week or so.”

The reported price tag for the player was £6m but Kalmar’s Sports Director has dismissed the figure. He said, “I don’t know where that figure has comes from.”

“We haven’t been offered such a sum. We’ve got three offers from three different clubs and rejected all of them.”

Mavinga - Reds Move A Risk

New Liverpool signing Chris Mavinga admits he has taken a risk in leaving Paris St Germain to move to Anfield.

The defender signed a three-year contract with the Premier League side earlier in July after Rafa Benitez's scouts identified the teenager's talents.

Mavinga did not play for the PSG first team during his time at the Parc des Princes, but still came to the attention of Benitez.

The 18-year-old would have liked to have featured for PSG but he could not turn down Liverpool, despite the competition for places, because they showed greater determination for his signature.

Mavinga said in L'Equipe: "I wanted to play on the Parc des Princes pitch. I would have loved to wear that shirt. PSG is the club in my heart.

"Liverpool followed me for one year. Benitez even talked to me, while I never had any talks with (PSG recruitment officer) Alain Roche or coach Antoine Kombouare.

"I made Liverpool wait while they put me under pressure. Then, (former boss) Paul Le Guen, who asked me to take part in some professional training sessions, left.

"I felt Paris only offered me a professional contract to stop me from leaving.

"I know I won't play at Anfield this season and the step to Liverpool's first team is higher at Paris. It is a risk, but an opportunity too."

Liverpool To Rival Aston Villa For Portsmouth Defender Sylvain Distin

The speculation surrounding Sylvain Distin's future continues to mount, as The Mirror now credit Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez with an interest in the French defender.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is believed to have already had one £2.5 million bid rejected by confirmed Portsmouth manager Paul Hart, so Benitez will need to act with a strong bid while he - and his squad - are in Thailand, before the Ulsterman returns to the fold with a more lucrative second fee.

Benitez has already considerably strengthened his rear-guard this season, with the expensive acquisition of roaming right-back Glen Johnson, who is equally adept at being a productive outlet high on the right flank.

The Reds considerably closed the gap between themselves and Premier League title holders Manchester United last term, and with the respective departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, Rafa Benitez may be confident of sneaking a title away from Sir Alex Ferguson, should he continue to bolster his own squad.

Barcelona To Go For Fabregas Instead Of Mascherano

Barcelona are preparing to test Arsenal and Cesc Fabregas with a bid for the Catalan playmaker if Liverpool continue to thwart their bid to prise Javier Mascherano away from Anfield, according to a report.

Blaugrana coach Pep Guardiola confirmed this week that he wants to add a midfielder to his ranks, but while he stated the player would not be expensive, the Board has other ideas.

With a deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic almost completed, the treble winning Catalan outfit's next task will be to sign a star name to bolster their options in the centre of the pitch.

Mascherano was the first choice, but Liverpool are reluctant to let the Argentinian leave despite his own admission that he is unhappy in England and wants to go to Camp Nou.

Without wanting to upset the Merseyside club, Barcelona are prepared to look elsewhere and are ready to again test Arsenal's mettle with an enquiry for their own visionary midfielder.

Fabregas has stated that he is happy to stay at the Emirates, but oi the Blaugrana match his asking price then that loyalty will be stretched, Sport state.

According to the Catalan daily, the Arenys del Mar-born midfielder is disillusioned with Arsenal's transfer policy and is questioning whether or not they can fulfill his ambitions.

Guardiola has already stated that Fabregas is a player in the Barça mould and he would be able to play regularly in a squad that would be rotated to fit him in.

With Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita both expected to play in the African Cup of Nations, an extra midfielder is required, while Fabregas could slot in with Andres Iniesta moving out to the left for games when Thierry Henry is rested.

President Joan Laporta wants to leave a legacy at Barcelona in his last year at the helm and re-signing the player that left in his first summer would be seen as doing just that.

Match Report: Thailand 1 - 1 LiverpooL

Sutee Sumsomkit's second-half equalizer saw Thailand secure a battling draw with Liverpool in a pre-season friendly at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

Ryan Babel put the Barclays Premier League side in front after six minutes but substitute Sutee struck with a consummate finish midway through the second period to ensure the encounter ended all-square.

Thailand had the first sight of goal with just a minute on the clock when Diego Cavalieri's poor clearance fell straight to Datsakorn Thonglao but he shot wide from 30 yards with the Liverpool 'keeper scrambling back towards goal.

The visitors took the lead when Jamie Carragher hit a long diagonal ball that picked out Babel's run after he had got in front of Suree Sukha.

The Dutchman's touch took him away from the defender before he beat Kosin Hathairattanakul with a low finish.

Babel could have doubled the lead five minutes later when Krisztian Nemeth collected a weak headed clearance and played the winger in down the left but Kosin got down well to block.

He had another chance after 20 minutes when he met Lucas' perfectly flighted ball from the left in space at the far post but cushioned his volley wide.

Datsakorn then fired a 25-yard free-kick over the bar as the Thais were unable to convert a decent amount of possession into clear chances.

Liverpool made a host of changes at the break but Martin Skrtel lasted only 10 minutes before limping off and fellow substitute Nabil El Zhar was replaced two minutes later.

Javier Mascherano warmed Kosin's hands with a stinging drive but the second half was proving a low-key affair until the 71st minute when the hosts equalized.

Sutee played a neat one-two with Teerasil Dungda and the former's left-footed finish found the bottom corner beyond substitute keeper Peter Gulacsi's outstretched hand.

Andrea Dossena was sent clear by Andriy Vornonin following a swift interchange but shot straight at Kosin before the Ukrainian wasted a glorious chance nine minutes from time when put clean through by Fernando Torres but missed from 10 yards and Glen Johnson curled an effort wide in injury time as Thailand held on.

Liverpool's Martin Skrtel Suffers Hamstring Injury In Friendly

Liverpool lost central defender Martin Skrtel to a hamstring injury in today's 1–1 draw with Thailand in a pre-season friendly. The Slovak international came on as a half-time substitute but lasted only 10 minutes on a rain-soaked afternoon before grabbing the top of his right hamstring and walking gingerly off the field.

Nabil El Zhar came off soon after with an injured right knee after attempting a bicycle kick. The club's medical staff are assessing the players but the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez, admitted his disappointment at the injuries. "They were not the best conditions here today and the worst thing was to lose Skrtel and El Zhar. The idea of the game was to improve match fitness, so to lose two players is bad news," he told the club's official website.

The midfielder Xabi Alonso, subject of intense transfer speculation about a move to Real Madrid, did not make an appearance. Fernando Torres made his first appearance of the pre-season, coming on for the latter stages of the second half.

Liverpool's starting team contained five regular first-team players: Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt, Lucas Leiva, Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger. The opening goal came in the sixth minute as Carragher played a long ball into the path of Babel, who outpaced the defence, controlled the ball and slotted past the goalkeeper. But Liverpool looked rusty, struggling to combine effectively in the attacking half. Babel volleyed another long pass wide and had another effort stopped by the goalkeeper.

Thailand's equaliser came in the 72nd minute as substitute Sutee Suksomkit played a neat one-two and calmly placed his shot past the onrushing substitute goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.

Liverpool changed 10 players at the break, with their new signing Glen Johnson coming on and playing in an unfamiliar left-back position, while Javier Mascherano and Andriy Voronin were among those also given a run-out in the second half.