Hicks-Gillett Rift At Liverpool ‘Had Roots In Differences Over Benitez’

As the Spirit of Shankly group of Liverpool fans confirmed today that they will meet with Premier League officials on Friday to discuss ownership and governance issues at their club, sportingintelligence can reveal the historic rift between Tom Hicks and George Gillett was fueled by their contrasting views on Rafa Benitez.

Sources with intimate knowledge of the Hicks-Gillett relationship during the Americans’ time at Anfield tell us it was Hicks who “made all the running” in sounding out Jurgen Klinsmann as an “insurance policy” management option at the end of 2007.

After the Klinsmann talks were made public in January 2008 – when it became evident the owners had doubted Benitez – Hicks fell firmly into the pro-Rafa camp. Our sources add it was also Hicks who was the driving force in giving Benitez a five-year deal last year.

Gillett, on the other hand, although supportive of the Spaniard, felt Benitez worked best under the supervision of a “moderating” executive, specifically the former chief executive, Rick Parry.

Parry left in the summer of last year, after it became clear that, according to one source, “it was obviously going to be a dysfunctional situation going forward.” Hicks was aligned to Benitez, who had been given more powers in his new deal, while Gillett was aligned to Parry, who Gillett believed “kept Rafa in control”. Except Benitez didn’t want to be kept in control, and would not be.

Fast-forward one extremely disappointing season, and Hicks and Gillett are much closer now in mindset. The club is up for sale and Barclays Capital are actively talking to potential bidders, one of whom we reported on earlier this week.

The Americans still privately insist the club is in great financial shape, despite losses for the parent company of £55m last year, mainly due to interest payments of £40m on debt. They are also prepared to inject more money for transfers this summer “for one last time”, a source says.

The rationale is that they need an asset in good shape to make it attractive for a decent bid, but the Americans harbour “grave doubts” that Benitez should be the man to spend the money to keep the asset in good shape.

Figures acquired from inside the club by sportingintelligence show Benitez has spent more than £244m on transfers in the past four years. Hicks and Gillett do not trust Benitez to spend any more of their money. [NB late addition to piece: that £244m is a gross figure, not net, as the debate in the comments below elaborates on].

They will not sack him because his £16m pay-off is too expensive, and thus hope he leaves of his own volition. If he doesn’t leave – for Juventus or elsewhere – then they will only spend in the summer if the club’s chairman, Martin Broughton, oversees any deals.

Benitez wants cash and the freedom to spend it. All this is understood to have been part of a series of recent discussions (to be continued) between Benitez and Broughton.

The SoS group, meanwhile, will meet the Premier League, including chief executive Richard Scudamore, on Friday, to discuss issues they raised last month about Hicks and Gillett’s ownership.

SoS will ask a series of questions and will tell the League: “We do not want another Tom and George, we want ‘fit and proper’ owners. After all, it’s our football club, it’s our game, and on behalf of our members we are going to have our say.”

James McKenna, spokesperson for SoS, said “The Premier League have a duty to run the game properly, to regulate it and make sure it is protected. However, they don’t seem to take this duty seriously, allowing the debts at Liverpool to pile up, with owners who are far from fit and proper. Sadly, we aren’t the only club this is happening to, it is happening to many others, and the fans are the ones left to fight for their clubs.

“We would like to the Premier League to better protect clubs and put in place regulation that stops what has happened with Hicks and Gillett from happening all over again. It isn’t right or proper that a club should pay for its owners to actually own them, and it isn’t proper for the future and the finances of a club to be put in jeopardy for the sake of business and making a profit. Those in charge need to act, and they need to act now, before it’s all too late.”

Scudamore has been a sympathetic listener as Portsmouth fans have kept him updated on the dreadful declining state of their financially decrepit club this season. Lessons learned at Portsmouth have partly led to new rules that will be adopted this summer to lower the chances of new anonymous owners will no proof of funds and no business plans.

(The mysterious Ali Al Faraj – a former owner of Pompey who has never been seen in Britain and who never had an active role – falls into this category.)

SoS are sure to get tea and sympathy. But it will probably also be pointed out that both Gillett and Hicks had respectable references from major sports bodies in the USA, arguably the most highly-screened environment in the world in terms of sports ownership.

They passed the ‘Fit and Proper Persons’ test, which effectively amounts to having no convictions that bar them being directors in British companies. They would have shown proof of funds, albeit borrowed, but leveraging is not disallowed in English football.

They would also have shown a business plan, including the building of a new stadium. It’s just they didn’t manage to execute it.

Spirit of Shankly Set For Showdown Talks With Premier League

A leading Liverpool fans’ group is to demand answers when holding talks with the Premier League tomorrow.

The Spirit of Shankly have managed to secure a meeting with League officials in hope of finding resolutions to the ongoing off-field problems that are blighting the Reds..

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore is the highest profile member of the League delegation set for the face-to-face talks with SOS on Friday.

The supporters’ union says thousands of concerned fans have already e-mailed and written to the League asking what action they are going to take to help a club which has developed severe financial problems.

SOS have expressed their deep concern at how the club has been allowed to “deteriorate” and say Scudamore and the League’s hierarchy must not allow such issues, which have plagued the Tom Hicks and George Gillett ownership reign, to happen again.

James McKenna, spokesperson for SOS said: “The Premier League has a duty to run the game properly, to regulate it and make sure it is protected. However, they don’t seem to take this duty seriously, allowing the debts at Liverpool to pile up, with owners who are far from fit and proper.

“We would like to the Premier League to better protect clubs and put in place regulation that stops what has happened with Hicks and Gillett from happening all over again. It isn’t right or proper that a club should pay for it’s owners to actually own them, and it isn’t proper for the future and the finances of a club to be put in jeopardy for the sake of business and making a profit.

“Those in charge need to act, and they need to act now, before its all too late.”

SOS, established in backlash to the American owners, will have the chance to hammer home their fears for the future having already sent the Premier League a letter.

The furious Anfield supporters’ group believes lack of regulations on the behalf of League chiefs is in part to blame for the Reds’ spiral into danger.

An exert from the letter to the Premier League reads: “It is Liverpool FC’s current predicament and the Premier League's criminal silence on these issues that has prompted me to contact you. Liverpool Football Club now finds itself being 'touted' around looking for someone to come in and pay down the debt with a £100 million investment. So far one bid has been submitted from the Rhone group and with the deadline for offers fast approaching. We may find ourselves forced into inappropriate investment, rather than finding suitable investment.

“I demand that the Premier League conduct a vigorous 'fit and proper' person’s test of any new investor, considering they are expected to take a controlling stake. I demand that subsequently you regulate in a much more vigorous way to ensure that any future investor keep any promises to protect all football clubs and the game that you regulate through binding undertakings to be given to the Premier League.”

SOS also claim in their letter to have sent questions to Reds managing director Christian Purslow - but say they have yet to receive answers.

Sean McGuire: Profits Don’t Matter When Bottom Line Is So Poor

Liverpool FC must persuade every one of its season ticket holders to part with an extra £1,900 just to break even.

That is the magnitude of the mammoth £54.9m pre-tax loss for the 2008-09 season that the club’s accounts revealed when they were published last week.

Talk of an operating profit of £27.4m is misleading as it doesn’t take into account the £42.6m cost of “player amortisation and trading” or the interest payments on the club’s huge loans.

Interest payments alone account for more than £40m – with £8.1m going to the parent company based in the Cayman Islands owned by the club’s co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Only salesmen are happy with operating profits. To everyone else it’s the bottom line which is critical.

It’s like saying your household is in a healthy financial position, if only you didn’t have to pay your mortgage or tax on your wages.

The trouble is that Liverpool face reduced income due to their seventh-placed finish and poor European performance this year – and if you were in charge of Liverpool’s finances, would you budget for higher performance-related pay next season or not?

The accounts also showed the club’s costs soared again, with its wage bill increasing by more than £12m to nearly £103m. Its number of full-time staff shot up from 386 to 474.

However the increase in turnover – up £161.8m to £184.8m – was largely attributed to broadcasting revenue and prize money, which was not the result of any endeavour by Liverpool’s commercial team.

While the £20m-a-season sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered will make a sizable difference, which will only boost the bottom line if costs don’t continue to rise.

The club’s owners want to sell but probably have an unrealistic price in mind and have brought in a temporary chairman to join an unsettled manager at a time some of the club’s most illustrious players are entering the veterans’ stage of their careers.

The fans are angry and in rebellious mood at what they see as the near ruination of their great club and at the slow and very painful public weakening of that incomparable spirit which, in all its different manifestations, made Liverpool one of the really very few great sports clubs in Europe.

But someone in a position of influence at the club is going to have to have the guts and the vision and the courage to explain to the fans of Liverpool what the plan for the rebuilding of the club involves and they need to do that very soon.

No one believes that next season will be much better than the ignominy of this season. Only someone who is blind to reality – both financial and playing reality – can look forward to 2010-11 with any confidence.

There is only one thing to do. Accept that the rebuilding process will take some time and that the club’s finances need to be sorted out as a priority.

Only when the club is under the control, and then the direct management of a group of people with a plan for its future success, based on the harsh truths of its current predicament will fans have the faith and belief to rally round the team, stick together for a few tough years and then look with real confidence to a much better future.

Whatever now happens, the status quo is not an option.

Rafael Benítez Holds Second Round Of Talks On His Liverpool Future

Rafael Benitez has held a second round of talks with the Liverpool chairman, Martin Broughton, as he seeks assurances that money will be available to revitalise the squad and challenge for a Champions League place next season.

The Liverpool manager met the British Airways chairman, who has been installed to sell the club on behalf of its co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, at Anfield today.

Both parties have agreed to keep their discussions confidential, although Benítez has said he wishes to continue as Liverpool manager providing the club can compete in the transfer market this summer.

He wants guarantees that any money raised through player sales will be reinvested in the squad, even if those sums are inflated by the potential loss of their prize asset Fernando Torres.

Juventus are still awaiting a definitive answer from Benítez having courted the Spaniard all year and have now turned their attentions towards Luigi Del Neri of Sampdoria and the Fiorentina coach, Cesare Prandelli.

Chinese Tycoon Quiet On Reds

Chinese internet gaming tycoon Zhu Jun has refused to deny claims he is interested in buying Liverpool.

Reports have claimed that Zhu, chairman of Nasdaq-listed online game company The9 Limited, has held provisional talks about purchasing the Premier League club.

Zhu, who already owns Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua, is said to have met with Barclays Capital, the investment bank hired to handle the sale of the Reds, in Hong Kong in late April and more recently in Shanghai.

Officials at Shanghai-based The9 would not confirm the talks had taken place, with company spokeswoman Phyllis Sai saying: "So far we have no comment on this."

Zhou Liang, Zhu's assistant, also gave an enigmatic response about whether the 44-year-old had held discussions with Liverpool about making a bid for the 18-time league champions.

"I cannot tell you any information at this moment," Zhou added.

"(The report) was information from the English side. Information moves very fast but there are some entities that need vehicles to travel. As soon as they arrive in China, we will let you know."

Lucas Wins Young Player Award

Lucas Leiva, often the butt of many Liverpool supporters’ jokes in the past, has ended a successful season for him personally, if not us as a club, by being named the Young Player of the Season.

The Reds midfielder collected 48 percent of the votes on Liverpoolfc.tv to win this award.

A meteoric rise from a bit part player to a first team regular has seen the 23 year old feature in all but three of our Premier League matches with only Dirk Kuyt, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher making more first team appearances than the Brazilian this season.

Lucas most likely wouldn't have played as much for the Reds if our situation off the pitch had been different however he's taken his opportunity well to become one of the few successes of a poor season.

In my honest opinion I'd still like to see him play further forward of the withdrawn role he is often played in though.

Emiliano Insua, who has also been a regular and made his Argentina debut, was the runner up with 20 per cent of the vote.

Torres In World Cup Fitness Race

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres remains a major doubt for Spain's World Cup opener against Switzerland - but is putting in the hours in a bid to be fit.

The 26-year-old underwent an operation on his right knee last month and is now working six hours a day in a bid to face the Swiss on June 16.

"Right now, we cannot say whether Fernando will be ready in time for the first match against Switzerland," said Spain team doctor Juan Jose Garcia Cota.

"He has started to work outside and is still doing gym work to improve the muscle tone around the knee.

"It takes a long time but the process we are following is still very good. We cannot say for sure but we are optimistic.

"There are still many days and the injury evolves day to day."

Torres, who netted the winning goal for his country in the Euro 2008 final against Germany, was yesterday named in Vicente del Bosque's preliminary 30-man squad.

After tackling Switzerland in South Africa, Spain will play further Group H games against Honduras and Chile.

Liverpool Keeper David Martin Joins MK Dons

Karl Robinson has made Liverpool goalkeeper David Martin his first signing as MK Dons manager.

The 24-year-old, who began his career with the Dons, will return when his Anfield contract ends on 1 July.

Martin, who had loan spells with Tranmere, Leeds and Derby this season, has agreed a three-year contract.

Robinson said: "He left the club as a boy but he's come back a man and I think he has all the qualities to be a future England goalkeeper."

Martin made 25 appearances for the Dons before joining Liverpool in December 2006.

He said: "It's a dream come true to be back here and I'm grateful to the manager and chairman for giving me the opportunity."

Aquilani Exit Talk Quashed

Alberto Aquilani's agent has laughed off speculation the Liverpool midfielder will return to Italy in the summer after just one season on Merseyside.

Reports in England have linked the 25-year-old with a speedy return to Serie A after joining the Reds in the summer from Roma for £20million.

After a disappointing year at Anfield, some have suggested Rafa Benitez is willing to offload the injury-prone Italian in a cut-price deal, with Juventus and Fiorentina said to be interested.

But Aquilani's representative Franco Zavaglia has shunned claims his client will leave the Premier League underachievers.

"A return to Italy? It seems a journalistic shot of the British tabloids," Zavaglia told Tuttomercatoweb.com. "I don't know anything, because Alberto is well in Liverpool.

"There is talk of Juventus and Fiorentina but the Bianconeri have to define the structure of the club before thinking about the market.

"Equally, Fiorentina has the issue of Cesare Prandelli to resolve.

"Aquilani has recovered well from his ankle injury and for this reason I think Liverpool won't get rid of him."

Liverpool Plan £8m Raid To Sign “Argentine Alonso”

Rafa Benitez has set his sights on snaring Valencia’s impressive young Argentine midfielder Ever Banega. The former Boca Juniors man has previously been targeted by fellow Merseysiders Everton but the Liverpool boss believes he can persuade his former club to sell to the Anfield side this summer.

The Mestalla outfit are continuing to experience significant financial worries and will have to sell some of their star performers this summer but could well opt to offload some of their ‘lesser’ lights rather than having to lose the likes of David Silva or David Villa.

Banega has a great season at Valencia but has had issues with the La Liga side in the past and was almost forced to join the Toffees when he returned from his season long loan at Atletico Madrid last term. The 21 year old Argentine international has been likened to former Reds favourite Xabi Alonso.

The youngster is an excellent distributor of possession and has a great eye for a raking pass and would no doubt be keen on a move to join his fellow countrymen Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua at Anfield.

Sevilla Tracking Liverpool Winger Yossi Benayoun

Primera Division outfit Sevilla are closely monitoring the situation of versatile Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun, according to a report in The Guardian.

The Nervionenses are eager to add some fresh blood to their squad in the summer transfer window and they've supposedly made Benayoun one of their primary targets on the transfer market.

Benayoun joined Liverpool from West Ham United in the summer of 2007 and has since made over 90 Premier League appearances for the Reds. The 30-year-old has never been an undisputed first team player though and could therefore decide to leave the club this summer.

The attacking midfielder appeared to be on his way to Dynamo Moscow last winter, but the transfer eventually collapsed for unknown reasons.

Sevilla face stiff competition from Premier League outfit Aston Villa in the race for Benayoun's signature.

Liverpool Set To Sell Alberto Aquilani At Cut-Price £10m To Juventus

Liverpool are set to unload midfielder Alberto Aquilani to Juventus, according to a report from The Sun, and could sell him for £10 million.

The midfielder cost a reported £20m to bring to Anfield from Roma in the summer. However, he arrived shortly after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury and struggled to regain full match fitness throughout the campaign.

Aquilani made only 13 starts all season, showing his quality only in flashes. Now it looks as though he will lead something of a summer clear-out at Liverpool, with the future of manager Rafael Benitez still in some doubt.

Fiorentina are also interested in the player, but are not prepared to pay more than £7m for his services, according to a further report in The Daily Mirror.

Liverpool's Youngest Ever Player Jack Robinson Describes Debut As A 'Dream Come True'

Liverpool left-back Jack Robinson became the club's youngest ever player at 16 years and 250 days when he came on as a substitute for Ryan Babel against Hull City on Sunday as the Reds drew their final game of the Premier League season 0-0.

The 16-year-old played just two minutes - his only contribution was sliding a ball infield to captain Steven Gerrard, a move which lead to the England international hitting the woodwork - but described the brief moments as a dream come true.

"It was an amazing feeling to get on and a very exciting moment," Robinson told Liverpool’s official website.

"I only found out for certain that I was in the squad on Saturday morning but it was completely unexpected.

"It's a dream come true.

"Sammy Lee called me on Saturday and when he told me that I was going to be in the squad, I just went into shock.

"I knew it was going to be a great experience and just sitting on the bench would have been good enough but it became even better to get on.

"It was the first time that I have ever travelled with the squad and I'll never forget it; I still can't believe that I've made a little bit of history."

Rafa Benitez May Need To Go, Says Liverpool FC Legend Robbie Fowler

Anfield legend Robbie Fowler says the time may be right for Liverpool FC boss Rafa Benitez to leave the club.

The future of Benitez has been the subject of much speculation in recent months following a below-par campaign that saw Liverpool FC finish seventh in the Barclays Premier League and miss out on a Champions League place.

With owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks also now searching for a new buyer there is much uncertainty surrounding the club and Fowler - who was brought back to Anfield by Benitez four years ago - thinks the time may be right for him to move on.

"With Rafa, what you see is what you get. I think he’s quite shrewd and keeps everything to himself," Fowler said.

"I was always grateful to him for bringing me back, so I always have a bit of a soft spot for him, but at the end of the day it’s a big club and no one is bigger than the club.

"First and foremost we want to be winning trophies and to be the top dogs. It’s a tricky situation. I don’t want to be sat here saying he has got to go - everyone is entitled to their opinion.

"I just want Liverpool to do well, whether it’s Rafa there or someone else there I don’t really mind. First and foremost Liverpool is Liverpool and I think we deserve to be top of the table every year.

"Whoever is in charge has a big job on their hands."

With his own playing days coming to a close, Fowler revealed he is looking to turn to coaching himself and has ambitiously pointed to the top job at Anfield as his dream appointment.

The 35-year-old striker is currently playing in Australia’s domestic league where he is contracted for at least one more season with Perth Glory, so any move into coaching is still some way off.

Fowler is also yet to earn his coaching badges and while he admits his dream to manage Liverpool FC is "a million miles away" should it one day happen it would not be the first time he has made a shock return to a club where he is revered.

"When I do finish playing, the coaching side and the management side is something I would probably go down," he said.

"I would like to go down that route and in an ideal world I would go back to Liverpool.

"I’m a local lad and I’ve played for the club. I’m not saying for a second that I’m going to be the next manager, but it would be nice.

"I’m not kidding myself, I’m a million miles away from managing Liverpool.

"I’m still playing. Maybe in the future I’ll do all my badges and go through the lower leagues and become a manager that way.

"As a player you always aspire to be the best and as a manager you probably need to start at the bottom. Once you start on that little ladder then you can aspire to be the best and in terms of management you really can’t get higher than Liverpool."

Syrian's £400m Liverpool Takeover Edges Closer

According to representatives of Yahya Kirdi, the Syrian is moving closer to agreeing a deal to take over Liverpool.

Liverpool's unpopular American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett recently put the Anfield club up for sale. The Daily Mirror reports that Kirdi, who is fronting a Gulf-based bid, is looking to buy the club for £400m, which will more than wipe out the club's £350m debt.

Kirdi himself is a former Syrian international and is also an international Unicef representative. Former Celtic captain, Andy Lynch is working alongside Kirdi to make the deal happen.

Lynch confirmed that Kirdi met with Liverpool owner Gillett and new chairman Martin Broughton in London last week. He said and that talks between the parties were positive.

Lynch commented, "Mr. Kirdi confirmed to me that he had encouraging discussions with both Martin Broughton and George Gillett.

"He is hopeful that the deal could be done very soon."

Hurry Up And Sell Liverpool FC, Urges Pepe Reina

Pepe Reina has urged co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to ensure a swift sale of the club to aid Liverpool’s hopes of recovery next season.

The ongoing problems both on and off the field at Anfield were brought into sharp focus during the past few days with the release of the latest accounts and the conclusion of the Premier League campaign.

It emerged on Friday that Liverpool had posted a record pre-tax loss of £54.9m for the year 2008-09 while the debt of the club’s parent company Kop Holdings had risen to £351m.

The goalless draw at Hull City that followed two days later consigned Rafael Benitez’s side to seventh place – the Anfield outfit’s lowest league finish since 1999 – and a July start to their Europa League challenge next season.

Benitez, who expressed his desire to stay at Liverpool given the right reassurances, will meet with new chairman Martin Broughton again this week to discuss the direction of the club.

Liverpool’s poor showing has underlined the need for squad strengthening, with Benitez keen for significant funds to be released ahead of the summer transfer window.

Broughton hopes the club will be sold “in a matter of months” and a concerned Reina admits the ownership situation must be resolved as soon as possible.

“Of course we worry,” said the goalkeeper. “It is a little bit of a concern and we need to sort out these kind of things, like the sale of the club and the thing with the owners.

“Once we settle all this then we can begin to look forward and improve the squad.

“It is vital we have a quick sale of the club. It would be simple as it would mean we could start planning for next season earlier.

“All that I would ask is that if it is going to happen, then it happens as soon as possible to help the club itself.”

Reina added: “It has been a really disappointing season. The only thing we can do is look forward and try to improve and build a competitive squad.

“We need to spend some money on the squad to be competitive again so we can fight for a place in the top four.

“How many players do we need? I don’t know. It is not about quantity, it is about quality. We don’t want to bring anyone in just for the sake of bringing.

“We need to bring in the proper ones and improve on the players we already have.

“It is not cheap but I am sure that the manager and his technical staff will be working hard to change that.”

Despite the boardroom distractions, Reina admits the buck ultimately rests with Liverpool’s players for their campaign of chronic under-achievement.

“We cannot avoid our responsibilities,” he said. “We are the ones who play, so there are no excuses about that. Of course it did not help all the issues with owners and the situations with the ups and downs with the money. But we are just players and we have to play.

“It is up to us to show our quality on the pitch. We have tried to give our best all the time but clearly we didn’t get to the levels that we should have done this year. We have got to improve massively next season.”

At least the season ended on a positive personal note for Reina, whose clean sheet at Hull was his 18th of the top-flight campaign and means he shares the Barclays Golden Gloves award with Chelsea’s Petr Cech.

“It was all down to the lads in front of me,” said the Spain international.

“I am really thankful for that. In the second half of the season, we defended really well. Thanks to them it is always nice to be able to win this kind of trophy.”

Jamie Carragher Is No Guarantee To Make World Cup, Says Fabio Capello

Fabio Capello refused to guarantee Jamie Carragher a place in his final World Cup squad of 23 despite the Liverpool defender showing his willingness to come out of international retirement by agreeing to be part of the England coach's 30-man provisional party.

As he has persuaded Carragher to make himself available after he retired from international duty in 2007, it is hard to see Capello not selecting the Liverpool veteran in his final squad when it is announced after the friendly with Japan in Graz on 30 May.

However, the Italian would not give Carragher any guarantees he would be on the plane to South Africa. Capello said: "He is one of the 30 players. During the training camp I will evaluate the performance of each player, after that I will decide."

Detailing how Carragher's return to the international fold came about, Capello said: "We started two months ago, we spoke with him, [Capello's assistant] Franco Baldini met him two weeks ago and he was happy to stay with us and we decided to select him. I selected him because he is a really, really good player."

Another player to make it into the 30-man squad is the Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King. Capello called King into his squad for the games against Slovakia and Ukraine in April last year, but once it was discovered the Tottenham man's chronic knee condition prevented him from training he was quickly returned to his club.

However, with the long-time squad members Wes Brown and Joleon Lescott ruled out by injury and doubts remaining over the first-choice central defenders, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, Capello has decided it is worth checking out the experienced Carragher and King once more.

Capello has no concerns about King's long-standing knee injuries. "We were monitoring him for a long time," the Italian said. "He is one of the best defenders in England. In the last 15 days he has played four games, I spoke with him about the knee problems and he said this season the knee was really good. The reason I selected him is that he's good, a really good defender."

Capello said he asked the Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes to consider a comeback but, unlike Carragher, the midfielder turned down the request. "Yes [I spoke to him] but it was up to him," Capello confirmed. "He said no, he preferred to stay with the family. But I tried, yes."

Capello has several possible injury headaches with question marks over the fitness of King, Gareth Barry and Wayne Rooney while Owen Hargreaves missed out due to a long-term problem. Asked about Barry, Capello said: "I decided this morning after meeting with Franco Baldini and the doctor. I decided to put him in the 30 because the next medical check will be 24 May and after this medical check we will decide what we can do. I hope after this he will be ready to start training. You have to wait."

On Hargreaves, Capello added: "I spoke to Owen twice in Manchester and he's not fit, not ready to play. He didn't play for 18 months and for that reason, I can't select him. He's a really important player when he is fit."

Capello insisted that, despite question marks over the fitness of several players, Barry is the only current doubt. "I am not concerned about these players," he said. "Yesterday I spoke for a long time to Sir Alex Ferguson and he told me Rio is fit, he can play, no problems.

"King is really good, I'm not concerned. We have to wait about the Barry situation but it is only this player."

The Italian said Bobby Zamora was unlucky to miss out. "It was one of the last decisions that I took," he revealed. "I spoke to him and it was up to him because he can't train every day, he plays always with injections and probably he needs an operation [on his achilles]."

One of Capello's wild cards is the Manchester City winger Adam Johnson. "He is a really interesting player," Capello said. "He played very well in the second part of the season with Manchester City [after his January transfer from Middlesbrough]. He's one of the younger players most interesting in the Premier League and I want to check him out during the training camp."

Reina - Injuries No Excuse

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina admits the club's "hell of a year" is no excuse for ending the season with their worst league finish in 11 years.

The Reds ended their Premier League campaign with a goalless draw against Hull City to finish seventh in the table - their lowest league finish since 1999 - to compound untimely early exits from both the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup.

Reina, who was voted Anfield's player of the season on Tuesday, cited injuries to key players as one of the reasons Liverpool suffered 11 league defeats in their domestic campaign but the Spanish shot-stopper concedes the Merseysiders should have done better.

"I feel a bit mixed because when a goalkeeper wins this kind of award, it's never a good thing," said the 27-year-old, who also won his fourth golden glove for the most clean sheets, sharing it this season with Chelsea's Petr Cech.

"I am happy with the things I have done, but not one of us can be happy because of the season we've had.

"No matter what you do, it's about the team. All of us are really disappointed.

"It's been a hell of a year with injuries. Fernando, Stevie, Glen, the centre-backs - we've been in a lot of trouble with injuries, so it's always difficult to prepare for a season like that.

"But it's no excuse - we should have done better and we didn't."

Inter Deny Benitez Talks

Inter Milan have rubbished reports they have approached Rafa Benitez or any other coach in view of Jose Mourinho's possible departure.

Mourinho has yet to confirm whether he will remain at the helm of Inter next season, with the Portuguese coach a reported target of Real Madrid.

Reports in the Italian media on Tuesday claimed Inter had joined Juventus in the race to tempt Liverpool boss Benitez to Serie A this summer.

But Inter have denied the rumours, stressing that Mourinho is under contract for a further two years.

The club said in a statement: "With regards to what has been reported today by several Italian media, FC Internazionale underlines that absolutely no contact has been made with coaches - of other clubs or national teams - given that the club has a contract with Jose Mourinho until 2012, and that everybody is focused exclusively on the team's important upcoming commitments."

Jamie Carragher: Liverpool's Champions League Failure Persuaded Me To Make Myself Available For England

Jamie Carragher has revealed that his England U-turn was accelerated by Liverpool's failure to qualify for next season's Champions League.

The 32-year-old was named in Fabio Capello's provisional World Cup squad on Tuesday, having agreed to end his self-imposed exile from international football that began in 2007.

And Carragher has admitted that, when his country came calling, it was the fear of missing out on more big occasions during the twilight of his career that encouraged him to be considered for selection.

"The FA got in touch a few weeks ago and asked if I would have a rethink, due to injury problems. I said I would make myself available," said Carragher, according to Sky Sports.

"The World Cup and Champions League are the highest levels of football.

"I'm not getting any younger, we have no Champions League football next season and I am keen to work under Fabio Capello."

Capello names his final 23-man squad for the tournament in South Africa on June 1 and Carragher is widely expected to make the cut.

Rafael Benitez: Liverpool Fans Made Right Choice In Voting Pepe Reina Their Player Of The Season

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is sure that the club's supporters made the right decision in voting goalkeeper Pepe Reina their player of the season.

The glovesman's performances have attracted plaudits from many observers and have been one of the few highlights of an otherwise disappointing campaign.

"Yes. 100 per cent," Benitez told the club's official website when asked if he felt that the fans had made the right choice voting for Reina.

"Pepe was a very good signing. He was a player we needed to bring in because we wanted to improve in goal.

"He has been fantastic not only in terms of his performances this season, but also for three or four years in a row.

"Also his mentality and advice for other players mean he is an inspiration. Like Kuyt, he is always positive and happy."

"Pepe is a 'keeper for a top side because he can not be involved in a game, but then can still make great saves because he is always focused and concentrated.

"If there are one or two situations in a game, he is ready."

Benitez was also delighted that Reina recently committed his long-term future to the Reds by signing a new six-year contract.

"It was really important. He is a modern goalkeeper who can play outside of the box too," he explained.

"He is more of a sweeper than a keeper - but if you need him to be a keeper, he is one of the best."

Chinese Gaming Tycoon Holds Takeover Talks With Liverpool

A chinese multi-millionaire internet gaming tycoon from Shanghai has held provisional talks about buying Liverpool, The Independent can reveal. No offer has been tabled yet but Zhu Jun, 44, the founder chairman and chief executive of The9 Ltd – one of China's leading online gaming firms – is described by local sources as "sincerely interested" in the club.

When Zhu's gaming firm floated on America's Nasdaq stock exchange in 2004, Zhu pocketed around £60m and his personal fortune has expanded considerably since. Zhu has a long-term active interest in football and is the chairman and majority owner of Shanghai Shenhua of the Chinese Super League.

An informed source in Shanghai says Zhu has already had two exploratory meetings about buying Liverpool with Barclays Capital (BarCap), the global investment bank. BarCap was hired by the club's new chairman, Martin Broughton, to find a buyer after the owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, formally put the club on the market last month.

One of Zhu's meetings with BarCap took place in Hong Kong at the end of April and a second was in Shanghai in the past week, according to a business source in China. A spokesman for BarCap declined to comment.

Broughton wants a "leak-free" media strategy until a deal is done with whoever eventually buys the club. This is understandable given the attention likely to be given to any potential buyer. But the revelation of Zhu's interest and meetings is significant in that it suggests BarCap is now actively engaging with bidders.

Before Broughton and BarCap were brought on board, Liverpool's owners had struggled to attract any interest from would-be partner investors that was satisfactory to Hicks and Gillett. "There is certainly a mood change now," one insider said. "But we're not close to any done deal yet."

Zhu is one of dozens of parties contacted across the world by BarCap already, as the firm chases up previous interest in the club and explores new leads. Zhu proposes to head a consortium of businessmen, perhaps including one or more other owners of Chinese Super League clubs, to make a bid. It is known, however, that he feels the owners' nominal asking price of £800m is double a realistic valuation.

Price will be a sticking point but is acknowledged on all sides as negotiable. A swift sale is clearly in Liverpool's best interests because it would allow a new owner to take decisive action over whether to keep Rafa Benitez in charge before the summer transfer window closes.

Hicks and Gillett will not sack Benitez; The Independent has been told by a senior club insider that there is "no chance at all" of that happening because a £16m pay-off would be necessary to facilitate it and the Americans will not spend that cash. The Spaniard's position remains in the balance, as does the club's transfer policy.

The £800m price tag has been circulated in China as a starting point for negotiations among potential bidders. Sources say the price tag has deterred many potential investors from even coming to the negotiating table. However the verbal "prospectus" that BarCap has been touting highlights Liverpool's potential growth, and Zhu is among those willing to explore the possibilities of buying at a "decent" price.

BarCap is looking for a buyer committed to the new stadium, and is stressing to would-be buyers that it is integral to Liverpool's long-term stability and growth as an investment. Zhu is confident he can raise or borrow funds to build it, if the purchase price is right.

Zhu's background has been romanticised on his firm's own website, with a description of his early business life talking about how he graduated from a delivery man who used a tricycle to do his rounds in the 1980s to someone who sold clothing and then cars before moving into non-specific "international trade". The last 12 years are easier to track: he started a gaming company in 1998, moving into online virtual communities in the early Noughties as the internet boomed, and then floating The9 six years ago.

If Chelsea Can Turn It Around, So Can Liverpool - Rafael Benitez

At the conclusion of one of the most disappointing campaigns in the club's recent memory, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez hopes he gets the chance to ensure next season sees a Red renaissance.

The Anfield club finished seventh in the final Premier League standings with 23 points adrift of winners Chelsea. Benitez's future has been under huge scrutiny in recent weeks, with a move to Italian strugglers Juventus strongly linked, but the Spaniard insisted after Sunday's disappointing 0-0 draw with Hull City that he was willing and capable of turning things around.

Benitez won the Champions League and FA Cup in his first two seasons at the club, yet in the past four campaigns has failed to add to his tally. But in the wake of seeing Chelsea grab their first title since 2006, Benitez was quick to draw parallels with the London club.

"For any manager, when you have a bad season, you want to improve and change things and I think it has to be this way," Benitez told reporters.

"I think all the managers, especially when they are in England and are at a club for a long time, will have good moments and bad moments.

"In football every year you cannot win and win and win. You can see Chelsea winning [the Premier League], not winning and now winning again so it can happen."

Asked if he deserved the chance to revitalise Liverpool's fortunes, Benitez phrased his answer to rally against what he perceives to be a negative media campaign against him, with certain outlets using anonymous sources in articles to push their own agenda.

"It depends.’Senior sources' maybe will say different but it has been the same in the history of football," he said, before outlining what he hopes will be achieved in his latest meeting with the club's chairman, Martin Broughton.

"Every meeting helps, in one way or another, and at this moment we have to talk about everything," said the Reds boss.

"Hopefully the second meeting will be as positive as the first one, but the press continues with the same agenda.

"I think for the stability of the club it is important because we have to move forward on everything.

"Hopefully we can progress with our next meeting."

Juventus Claim Deal For Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez Is Dead

According to numerous reports emerging in Italy, Juventus have now called off their pursuit of Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez.

Sky Sport Italia have claimed that deal is completely dead in the water while Turin daily Tutto Sport suggest that, following a board meeting, the club are now actively looking into an alternative to the Spaniard.

Initial reports suggest the club will try to pull off an unlikely coup by landing Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. However, it seems unlikely that the Frenchman would jump ship as he is believed to already be preparing the club for next season.

Juve have been courting Rafa for nearly four months and the Bianconeri directors were said to be confident they would get their man after Liverpool finished a disappointing seventh in the Premier League and were twice knocked out of European competition.

Dirk Kuyt Believes Rafael Benitez Will Be At Liverpool Next Season

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt believes that manager Rafael Benitez will still be at Anfield next season despite the reports linking the Spaniard with Juventus.

The Dutchman also sees it as vital that the Reds hold on to players such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, both of whom have been linked with big money moves away from Merseyside in recent days.

"The manager has four years left on his contract, so I don’t expect him to leave unless something else happens," the Dutch international told The Liverpool Echo.

"For me, the most important thing is keeping the main players.

Hopefully then we can buy a few more key players and start winning trophies."

Kuyt also acknowledged that the Reds have made too many mistakes this season and it is vital that they learn from them quickly.

A 0-0 draw at Hull City on the concluding Sunday of the season consigned the Merseysiders to a seventh-placed finish, meaning that they face the ignominy of having to play in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League next season.

Kuyt believes that the players must be honest and take their share of the blame, before lifting themselves to face a new season with resolve and determination to succeed.

"It has been a hard season and we did everything to change things," the Dutchman added.

“Up until 10 days ago, we were fighting for a trophy but it didn’t happen. You can say we have to forget what has happened but, really, we have to learn from the mistakes we made. We’ve got to push next season and be bouncing from the start.

“In football, you can never be sure what is happening and at this time, we know the club looks very bad. We are looking for new owners and you don’t know which players are going to stay or go.

“But Liverpool is a club with a great history and great supporters and we have to stay close together and fight really hard.

“Every player is interested in what is going on but, if I am honest, I can’t blame that side of things for some of our performances.

"We tried to stay focused with things on the pitch – that’s what I did, as did everyone else. We just couldn’t make good things happen for the club."

The draw at Hull also frustrated Kuyt, who wanted to end the season with a victory to cheer the fans.

“We were all hoping to finish the season with a good result so we had some kind of good feeling to finish on but unfortunately that did not happen," he said.

"Stevie [Gerrard] went close and we had a couple of other chances.

"We pushed hard but we didn’t get the result we wanted and that is disappointing."

Rafa Backs Carragher For World Cup

Rafael Benitez has backed Jamie Carragher to be a crucial player for England at this summer's World Cup if he agrees to come out of international retirement.

Speculation is rife that our No.23 will be called into the squad by Fabio Capello this week as England continues to struggle with defensive injuries.

Benitez said: "Carragher is always fit and I think he will be a very good option for England.

"They have centre-backs but they have had some problems. Carragher can also play in two different positions. He can help England.

"I think he'll be in the squad and I say congratulations because I think it will be good for him."

Carragher originally retired from international football in 2007.

Mancini Admits Torres Blow

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted it will be very difficult to lure Fernando Torres to Eastlands this summer.

The Liverpool frontman has been linked with a big-money move to City but their failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League could scupper any possible deal.

Tottenham pipped the Blues into the Premier League's top four this season and will now be rubbing shoulders with Europe's elite next term, unless they lose in the qualifying round of the competition.

City will be playing in the Europa League instead, as will Liverpool, and Mancini believes it will harm their chances of signing top players.

"Can we attract the top, top players, like Torres? I don't know, but I don't think so," he said in The Sun.

"If we finished in the top four, it would be better and easier to attract them.

"In this situation it is different. There are probably some players who want to play in the Champions League and not in the Europa League.

"But there are a lot of players in Europe who will want to play for Manchester City next year.

"We won't be playing in the Champions League but we must try to win the other competitions and finish in the top four in the Premier League."

City ended the campaign with a 1-1 draw at West Ham on Sunday, with Shaun Wright-Phillips equalising a Luis Boa Morte opener.

On his first campaign with City, Mancini remarked: "Things were very difficult when I arrived.

"It is never easy to join a club in the middle of a season. But we have improved.

"We are in the right position - in the top five. We tried to qualify for the Champions League and missed out. But finishing fifth is better than finishing sixth."

Steven Gerrard Ready To Quit Liverpool - With Man City Plotting £40million Move

Steven Gerrard is ready to wave farewell to Liverpool – with Manchester City making a record £40million bid for the Kop skipper.

Megabucks City’s Arab rulers have given the go-ahead for the capture of the summer and hope to agree a fee and speak to the England star as soon as possible.

Gerrard’s future has been in doubt because of the Anfield club’s financial troubles. City’s up-front money may be too much to refuse for the beleaguered owners.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could reluctantly accept a sale if he is given assurances that he will get the funds to transform a squad that has missed out on the Champions League.

Benitez put on a bold front on Sunday, insisting after the goalless draw at Hull: “If I stay, I’m not thinking about selling Gerrard or Torres.”

But when Benitez was asked if Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres wanted to stay he admitted: “That’s a question for them.”

The final word will be with Gerrard, who is 30 in three weeks’ time and has been a Kop idol since his teens.

He would not have Europe’s elite competition at City but he could take on a new challenge and lead them to a title bid.

City are poised to make their bid formal in the next few days but their interest is already known at the top level and the super-rich outfit want to get a ‘marquee’ signing that will make the game take notice.

The title wannabes know Real Madrid are also lurking but fancy their chances of outbidding them.

Kuyt Admits Anfield Uncertainty

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt admits he does not know which of his team-mates will still be around for the start of next season.

Both Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres have been linked with moves to other clubs this summer.

A dismal campaign, finishing seventh in the Barclays Premier League after early exits from the Champions League and FA Cup, has been compounded by ongoing financial difficulties at Anfield.

Manager Rafael Benitez believes he needs to bring in four or five players in the close season in order to get Liverpool back into the top four.

But with the debts of parent company Kop Holdings, set up by co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett when they bought the club three years ago, reaching £351million at the end of last season that seems unlikely.

And those money worries have only fuelled speculation that big-name stars will be offloaded to ease the stricken finances of the up-for-sale Merseysiders.

"In football you can never be sure what is happening and at this time we know the club looks very bad," said Kuyt.

"We are looking for new owners and you don't know which players are going to stay or go.

"But Liverpool is a club with a great history and great supporters and we have to stay close together and fight really hard.

"Every player is interested in what is going on but, if I am honest, I can't blame that side of things for some of our performances.

"For me the most important thing is keeping the main players. Hopefully we can then buy a few more key players and start winning trophies."

The future of Benitez may still be undecided but Kuyt expects the Spaniard to remain in charge at Anfield.

"The manager has four years left on his contract so I don't expect him to leave unless something else happens," added the Holland international.

While most Liverpool fans and people connected with the club will be happy to see the back of a dreadful 10 months, Kuyt stressed it was important not to gloss over the failings too quickly.

"It has been a hard season and we did everything to change things," said the 29-year-old.

"You can say we have to forget what has happened but, really, we have to learn from the mistakes we made.

"We've got to push next season and be bouncing from the start."

Pressure To Sell Increases As Liverpool FC Reveal More Huge Losses

The pressure on Liverpool FC to resolve the crisis surrounding the club’s ownership has grown after accounts for the 2008/9 season for parent company Kop Football Holdings revealed annual losses of UK£54.9 million.

According to auditors KPMG, those losses also pushed the club’s total debt to UK£472.5 million by 31st July 2009. Interest payments to creditors Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachowia rose in turn to UK£40.1 million. KPMG admitted to a “material uncertainty” about the club’s ability to continue as a going concern. As a result, interim chairman has discussed the accounts with the Premier League in order to ensure that the club receives a Uefa license for next season.

British Airways chairman Broughton has been appointed by the board in order to find a buyer for the club, and he insists that the prospects for a deal remain healthy. He said: “I expect to be chairman until we sell, so a matter of months. There’s no fixed price, there’s no agreed price — it’s a willing buyer, willing seller trade. We have willing sellers and there are willing buyers out there — that will determine the price.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore insisted that he was unconcerned about Liverpool’s long-term future, but admitted that the situation surrounding the club’s ownership and future stadium plans would have to be resolved.

“What is absolutely true is Liverpool, season on season, without additional funding or without benefactor funding, cannot go on losing £55million a year, which is why, in Liverpool’s case, they have got to build a new stadium. That’s fairly self-evident. Clearly, it’s obvious you can’t go on making those losses year in, year out.”

New Siamese Stadium Plan For Liverpool And Everton Football Clubs Unveiled

A local business consortium today unveiled a “Siamese stadium” to house both Liverpool and Everton football clubs.

The proposals show two grounds standing side by side in Stanley Park sharing one “central spine” wall.

The Mersey Stadia-Connex group, which is behind the idea, believes the “Siamese-style” blueprint could save the clubs between £180m and £220m.

They argue it would allow both Liverpool and Everton to maintain separate stadiums – but the unique design will hugely reduce overall costs.

Images reveal a two-sided, ten-level central hub, with a 60,000 ground capacity for Liverpool and 50,000 for Everton.

Both stadia, the consortium say, could be extended to accommodate an extra 10,000 fans with work completed by 2013.

The scheme includes a 300-bed hotel, complete corporate and hospitality facilities, 150 executive boxes, and an underground car park with 1,350 spaces.

The central spine entrance features an atrium and hotel tower extending four storeys above the stadium roof.

Around 200 of the 300 hotel bedrooms face the pitch, and also twin as executive boxes with balconies.

Representatives from Mersey Stadia-Connex are understood to have communicated on a number of occasions, once face-to-face, with senior Everton FC bosses.

However, publicly, the Blues dismissed the plan, denying any contact with the group and describing the scheme as “unworkable, unaffordable and undeliverable”.

Liverpool FC were sent copies of the plans but have made no contact with Mersey Stadia-Connex.

An LFC spokesman said: “We remain committed to building our new stadium in Stanley Park.”

The Connex group is made up of architects, structural, civil and services engineers and a construction and cost consultant.

The National Football Museum, currently relocating their main base from Preston to Manchester, has expressed interest in the project.

The Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) was shown the proposals but appear to have distanced themselves, advising the Connex group it was the clubs’ prerogative to put forward new proposals.

The project, which has taken eight months to design, is said to have reached “outline planning design stage and initial project construction cost status”.

The group has based its plan on Stanley Park.

But they said the scheme could still be “transferable” to alternative sites, and would allow each club to put together its own stadium-naming rights package.

A spokesperson for the Mersey Stadia-Connex group said: “We need to reach the prospective new owners of Liverpool FC to inform them about this sensational investment opportunity.

“Most fans will understand the many advantages and financial implications.

“This scheme differs from all previous concepts during the last decade in that we believe it manages to achieve all the clubs’ objectives.

“Primarily they seem to be, in the absence of it being practical to rebuild Anfield and Goodison, to offer state-of-the-art, 21st-century facilities to their faithful supporters, increased capacity and transformed hospitality, while retaining the strongest link to their heritage, all in a way which delivers the very best value for money in order to ultimately enhance their on-field performances and successes.

“As important as any of those just mentioned is the passionate desire to retain independence from each other, and we are protecting that requirement through a brilliant design concept formulated by Merseysiders for Merseysiders, where what is required is an open-mindedness and a degree of cooperation.”

Mersey Stadia-Connex also wished to clarify they do not represent or act with authority for either Liverpool or Everton FC.

Match Report: Hull City 0 - 0 Liverpool

Liverpool's hopes of a top six finish were dashed as they brought the 2009-10 campaign to an end with a disappointing 0-0 draw at relegated Hull City on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds dominated for long spells but couldn't find the breakthrough as Alberto Aquilani, Daniel Agger and Nabil El Zhar all spurned good chances, while Steven Gerrard hit the post late on.

It means Rafael Benitez's men finish the season in seventh place, with the prospect of a Europa League qualifier in July looming on the horizon.

The stalemate did hold some significance, however, with Jack Robinson coming off the bench to become the youngest Liverpool player in history at the age of 16 years and 250 days.

The Academy starlet replaced Ryan Babel with four minutes remaining to begin what will hopefully be a bright future.

Ahead of the encounter in Humberside, the boss opted to make two changes to the team that lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea, with El Zhar making his first start of the season and Babel coming in for the injured Maxi Rodriguez.

But it was perhaps the substitutes's bench that stole the pre-match limelight, with Martin Skrtel making his long awaited return from injury, while Robinson was hoping to make his own little bit of LFC history.

Many observers had suggested it was an end of season contest with little to play for, but with Pepe Reina still in the running for the Golden Glove award and the prospect of leapfrogging Aston Villa into sixth place, there was incentive enough for Liverpool to make the more promising start.

Some superb link up between Aquilani, Babel and Gerrard saw the skipper stretch his legs into the Hull area and angle a pass towards Dirk Kuyt, who was just a few yards away from collecting and having a free shot at goal.

It set the tone for a period of Reds dominance and on six minutes they could so easily have been ahead. Tom Cainey desperately tried to intercept Babel's searching pass, stretching out a leg that saw the ball loop over Tigers stopper Matt Duke and fly inches wide of the post.

It was a lucky escape for the home side who were keen to sign off their time in the Barclays Premier League with a notable scalp. However, it was the visitors who continued to look the more likely with Aquilani fizzing a few yards off target with a speculative 25 yarder.

El Zhar was then a fingertip away from capping his promotion to the starting XI with a goal, lashing a superb shot towards the top corner that Duke did brilliantly to keep out.

From the resulting corner Liverpool came even closer, as El Zhar's miscued strike was flicked goalwards by Kuyt, only for George Boateng to head off the line.

It had been a one-sided first-half, but after Aquilani dragged just wide of the far post, Hull almost snatched the lead. A free-kick was launched into the Reds' area, ending with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink nodding a tame effort into the grateful arms of Reina.

It seemed to inspire Iain Dowie's men and they would miss two more gilt-edged opportunities just after the half hour mark.

Javier Mascherano lost possession deep inside Liverpool territory and after a miss-hit shot deflected into Mark Cullen's path, the striker somehow contrived to step on the ball and fail to convert from just six yards out.

And the 18-year-old had his head in his hands less than a minute later when he glanced a free header wide of the far post after Will Atkinson's superb cross from the right.

Liverpool could count themselves very fortunate not to have fallen behind, but they should have taken the lead on 45 minutes when some woeful Hull defending saw the ball drop to Aquilani 10 yards from goal. The Italian composed himself and drilled in a shot that cannoned back off the crossbar, with Daniel Agger lashing the rebound way over the top.

A look at the half-time scores suggested that the title was well on its way to Stamford Bridge, while Villa's inability to breakdown Blackburn's stubborn rearguard meant a Reds goal would give them the advantage in the battle for sixth.

However, it was Hull who started the second period on top and they should have broken the deadlock on 51 minutes. Bernard Mendy teased a cross in from the right that Vennegoor of Hesselink and Cairney both came within a whisker of converting.

Next it was Mendy's turn to go close, firing in a 40 yard free-kick that Reina did well to tip over the top. The Spanish stopper had gone into the clash hoping to secure a fourth Golden Glove award in just five seasons, but with Cech a virtual bystander in Chelsea's rout of Wigan, the No. 25 would eventually have to share the gong.

At the other end, Liverpool had faded as an attacking force and as the final moments approached, the best they had mustered was a poor effort from Aquilani.

With time running out Gerrard almost snatched a victory, hitting a low shot just wide before going even closer with a drive that smashed back off the post.

Martin O'Neill Emerges As Liverpool's Number One Target To Replace Rafael Benitez

Liverpool have chosen Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill as their top choice to replace Rafael Benitez this summer.

Sunday’s match at Hull City is likely to be Benitez’s final game in charge of Liverpool as reports have suggested that Benitez will be moving to Juventus.

O’Neill is set to meet with Villa owner Randy Lerner to discuss his future with the club and some believe that the Irishman could leave in the summer, according to the Daily Star.

The last two Liverpool bosses have been Frenchman Gerard Houllier and Benitez, who is from Spain, but should the club hire a new manager they would prefer a British manager.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, Birmingham’s Alex McLeish and Kenny Danglish are also being considered for the Liverpool job.

However, O’Neill would be the main target to lead the Reds if Benitez completes a move to Juventus this summer.

Former Anfield star Owen Backs Liverpool's Carragher For World Cup

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has backed Jamie Carragher, following speculation that the Anfield stalwart will receive a surprise World Cup call-up.

With doubts over Rio Ferdinand’s fitness, Capello is reportedly on the verge of calling Carragher into his 30-man training squad to be announced on Tuesday, ahead of friendlies against Japan and Mexico.

Carragher announced his retirement from international football in 2007, having won 34 England caps. However, he has been one of Liverpool's more consistent performers this season and Capello will reportedly persuade him to make a return.

Owen, who played alongside Carragher for both Liverpool and England, told Sky Sports,

"Jamie has been there and done it for club and country,

"Whether he goes or not, he would be one of the last people you would worry about depending on."

Owen himself had harboured hopes of a late World Cup call-up, but saw his slim chances dashed after he was injured in the Carling Cup final earlier in the season.

Fulham Boss Hodgson Hints He's Open To Liverpool Offer

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has said that he would be open to an offer from a big club, hinting that a move to Liverpool would not be out of the question.

Last week, Hodgson was tipped as the front runner to succeed Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, who has been courted closely by Juventus. It appears that Benitez will not secure the assurances that he wants from the Liverpool hierarchy which could keep him at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Hodgson, has achieved what Benitez couldn’t, by leading his side to the Europa League final and has been linked with the Liverpool job. Hodgson has done remarkably at Craven Cottage, firstly keeping Fulham in the Premier League against the odds and now leading them to European glory.

The 62 year-old has plenty of top level experience, having coached Inter Milan and the Swiss national team.

The News of the World quote him today, saying that he would consider a move to a top club, which presumably included the likes of Liverpool.

Hodgson said, "If the day comes when a big club wants me and I am available then I would be happy to do it.

"If you really want to be the guy who is involved in European Cup finals every year, you have to choose your clubs very carefully," he added.

"My fault in the past has always been that I can't bear not working so whenever I leave a job I have a tremendous tendency - probably not always intelligent of me - to jump at the first job that comes my way that sounds half-decent."

Rafa Benitez Is Running Out Of Time With Juventus

Rafa Benitez could find himself in no-man’s land if Juventus finally slam the door on him becoming their next coach.

The Turin giants have given the Liverpool boss a deadline of tomorrow to decide whether he wants to leave Anfield.

New president Andrea Agnelli is growing increasingly frustrated and got tough after a crisis meeting with his fellow power-brokers.

They agreed they need an immediate answer from Benitez, with the Italians worried they are going to be left behind in the race to sign new players for next season.

There’s also a stumbling block over what level of compensation has to be paid by Juventus, with Benitez still having four years left on a contract worth £16million.

Benitez is also cooling on the switch, after being told he wouldn’t be be able to take his entire backroom staff with him, and couldn’t be guaranteed total control over transfers.

Agnelli would now prefer an Italian coach – but his henchmen favour former boss Didier Deschamps, currently at Marseille.

Benitez might now reconsider his position at Liverpool but it may be too late for the Spaniard and today’s clash with Hull could be his final game in charge.

Liverpool Boss Benitez Puts Aquilani Up For Sale For £15m

The People report today that Benitez hopes to raise £35million by selling the likes of Aquilani, Ryan Babel, David Ngog and Nabil El Zhar. This will ensure that Liverpool can hold on to their superstars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

The Sunday tabloid add that Benitez has been given a June 14 deadline to tell Liverpool whether he intends to stay or leave and if he remains he will set about a serious shake up of the first team squad.

Aquilani is reportedly available for 15 million pounds with Babel free to leave for 10 million. Benitez also rates Ngog at 10 million.

In 2009/2010, Alberto Aquilani has played 19 games for Liverpool scoring once and providing three assists. The Merseyside giants paid 20 million euros for Aquilani last summer and the Italian is contracted to Liverpool until the end of season 2013/2014.

If the Spanish boss can raise enough money he will look to sign Bolton defender Gary Cahill for Liverpool.

'He's Been A Fantastic Signing'

Rafael Benitez today hailed Dirk Kuyt as a 'fantastic signing' for Liverpool as the Dutchman closes in on his 200th Reds appearance.

Kuyt will reach the milestone should he figure against Hull City at the KC Stadium this afternoon - and the boss believes he has proven to be a fine acquisition for the club since arriving from Feyenoord in August 2006.

"For someone who has come from abroad and played a lot of games with the passion he does, it is a fantastic achievement," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It's always really important, but especially for a foreign player.

"I think people will realise in the future how good he is for us. Not just in terms of his performances on the pitch, but also as a person and a professional.

"He is a very good example and a great character who is always very happy and positive. He has been a fantastic signing."

Since moving to Anfield, Kuyt has been deployed in a series of different positions by Benitez - and the Holland star even offered to play at right-back during an FA Cup tie with Reading earlier this year.

However, it is a role on Liverpool's right flank where the 29-year-old has excelled most.

"It's not his best position - we know that he is a striker - but he has been very good for us playing on the right side," added Benitez.

"He has done well, scored goals, and has also played as a second striker and a target man.

"He has been good in all of these positions, but we needed to use him more on the right and he has done really well.

"That is the right attitude you expect from your players when you need them."

Chase On For McClaren

Steve McClaren's agent has confirmed that he will make a decision on his future this weekend, amid reports Wolfsburg have firmed up their interest in him.

McClaren has just led Twente to the Dutch title and a host of clubs are now tracking him.

Former German champions Wolfsburg are understood to be keen on securing his services, and sources claim that he has met with Bundesliga club.

However, another German side Hamburg are known to also be keen - whilst it is believed the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham and Celtic are keeping abreast of the former England coach's situation.

McClaren's agent Colin Gordon has now been quoted by the Dutch media, suggesting a decision on his future will be made over the weekend.

"There are many interested clubs," Gordon told De Telegraaf.

"He will use this weekend to think about his future.

"He is home in England with his wife and sons, and they will be involved in any situations he makes."

Match Preview: Hull City vs. Liverpool

Hull are likely to be without Jimmy Bullard and Caleb Folan for Sunday's final Premier League game against Liverpool at the KC Stadium.

Bullard missed last week's 2-2 draw against Wigan, which confirmed their relegation, with an ankle problem and has not yet returned to training while Folan has a knee injury.

Rookies Will Atkinson and Mark Cullen are likely to keep their places after netting at the DW Stadium, with Kamil Zayatte, Ian Ashbee, Richard Garcia (all knee) and Stephen Hunt (foot) all long-term casualties.

Boss Iain Dowie believes the performances of the youngsters should give fans some much-needed hope for the future.

"The young boys have come in and shown what they're about,'' he said.

"Probably Will Atkinson was the one that raised eyebrows but he was picked on merit. What he gives you is a youthful enthusiasm and he seems to arrive where the ball is, which is a great habit to have.

"He's got goals (on loan) at Rochdale and we were seriously lacking in goals. Mark Cullen's got goals at youth-team level. They've continued that last week and it almost brought us a very big result.

"It didn't quite happen but this is something we want to build on. There were some positive moments for the future of the club.''

Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is unlikely to recover from a thigh problem in time.

The Argentina international came off in last week's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea and is a major doubt, as is right-back Glen Johnson who missed that game with a calf injury.

Central defender Jamie Carragher is hopeful of recovering from a twisted ankle to face the Tigers to play in his 435th league match, surpassing the record of former captain Alan Hansen, and his 629th Liverpool game overall.

Lucas - Reds Still Attractive

Lucas Leiva does not believe the calibre of player Liverpool can sign next season will be hindered by failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

The Reds' hopes of a top-four finish were extinguished last weekend as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on home soil and the Merseysiders head north to relegated Hull City on the final day of the season in seventh position, two points off sixth-placed Aston Villa.

With a Europa League berth offering significantly lower income than the Champions League money boss Rafael Benitez normally commands, plus owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks' decision to put the club up for sale, the Spanish tactician - should he remain at the helm - looks likely to have a tiny transfer kitty to do business with.

But Lucas, one of Liverpool's better performers this season, insists the club can still lure the top names to Anfield through reputation should they be able to afford new targets.

"Liverpool is still a big, big club. When you have played in the Champions League, everyone wants to play in this kind of competition," said the Brazilian midfielder on the club's official website.

"But even if we can't offer the Champions League, I'm sure the big names will still see Liverpool as a good option. Hopefully we will get some players to help us."

Liverpool's loss to Chelsea was their 11th in the Premier League this season, almost double the number they lost in the past two seasons combined.

Their bid for Europa League glory, having failed to make it past the group stage of the Champions League, was also ended at the semi-final stage by Atletico Madrid, and Lucas admits the team has to do better next term.

"Everything we did last week against Chelsea wasn't good enough and it has been this way all season," he said.

"Sometimes we have conceded late goals, other times we have been unlucky. But the main thing is that we haven't done enough. That is absolutely clear. Now we have to wait and see what will happen.

"But if some players come here and they can help us, maybe we can improve next season. Rafa will know what we need. I will continue to do my job."

Jamie Carragher To Aid England And Fabio Capello’s Defensive Crisis And Come Out Of International Retirement

Jamie Carragher is set to come-out of international retirement after England head coach Fabio Capello targeted the Liverpool defender to solve his defensive headache, reports the Daily Mail.

The Anfield hero infamously hung-up his Three Lions boots in 2007, after being continuously played out-of-position at full-back, particularly by former coach Steve McClaren, in opposed to his preferred centre back role.

Nonetheless, the Liverpool man could be set to return to the England squad in time for the World Cup finals in South Africa with Capello fretting over the fitness of his defensive charges.

England captain Rio Ferdinand has been struggling with a back injury for the vast majority of the season, while Capello reportedly favoured replacement, Ledley King, suffers from a chronic knee problem that can flare-up and restrict the Tottenham man from competing in back-to-back fixtures.

Carragher certainly would tick the right boxes. His experience and versatility would be extremely useful for Capello, particularly with other players of suitable adaptability currently sidelined – Manchester City duo Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott.

Danny Wilson To Complete Liverpool Transfer

Defender Danny Wilson is expected to agree a move from Rangers to Liverpool in the next seven days.

The 18-year-old has just over a year left on his contract and had turned down the new deal on offer to him.

Liverpool had a previous bid turned down but have returned with an improved offer in the region of £2m plus add-ons that Rangers have deemed acceptable.

The Ibrox club stood to lose the player for around £500,000 in compensation had he not been sold this summer.

Wilson, who made his debut in October, was recently voted PFA Scotland young player of the year, having made over 20 appearances - two in the Champions League - and scored once this season.

Injury ended his campaign prematurely, but he will leave Ibrox with winners' medals from Rangers' Scottish Premier League and Co-operative Insurance Cup triumphs.

Carragher's Starlet Prediction

Jamie Carragher predicts Daniel Ayala will continue to 'climb up the ladder' after being impressed by the development of the rising star this season.

The Spaniard has made five first-team appearances so far this term and has also been a commanding presence in John McMahon's Reserves.

Carragher believes Ayala has a bright future ahead of him and backed the 19-year-old to progress even further.

"I don't think there's one particular area of his game that has improved, it just seems a natural steady progression," he told LFC Weekly.

"Daniel came over here as a 15 or 16 year old. He's 19 now and you can see how he has grown in confidence with the experience.

"He became a big part of the reserve team, then stepped up with the first team in training and now he's getting a game so he's climbing up the ladder all the time.

"Now he's got the first few games out of the way, he'll have got those initial nerves out of the way so hopefully his game will improve again."

Rafael Benitez drafted Ayala into Liverpool's defence for the recent 4-0 win over Burnley - and he did not disappoint as the centre-back turned in an accomplished performance at Turf Moor.

It was the teenager's second start for the Reds and his display caught the eye of defensive colleague Carragher.

"He's only played two games but we've had two clean sheets," said Carra. "It was a lot more difficult at Burnley because we were under pressure in the first half but for a young lad to come in, in what was again a makeshift defence in only his second senior start, he did very, very well. Although the result makes it look easy, it certainly wasn't."

Ince At The Double For Reds

Liverpool U18s wrapped up their Barclays Premier Academy League season with a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon.

Rodolfo Borrell's men turned in a sensational performance on a difficult surface to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches.

Michael Ngoo opened the scoring for the Reds before captain Conor Coady added a second, just days after making his Reserves debut.

Tom Ince sealed the three points with a well-taken brace to ensure the Liverpool youngsters ended the season in style.

Liverpool U18s: Oldfield, Poor (Ihiekwe), Wisdom, Sama, McGiveron, Roddan, Coady, Sterling, Ince, Adjoran (Roberts), Ngoo (Emilsson). Subs: Chamberlain, Silva.

Anfield Sale Put On Hold

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has dismissed suggestions Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard will have to be sold to ease the club’s mounting debt.

Financial reports released for the first time show the club itself made an operating loss before tax of £16m in the year ending July 31, 2009, down from a £10.2m profit in the previous 12 months.

Kop Holdings, the company set up by co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to buy Liverpool in 2007, made a loss before tax of £54.9m.

That plunged the finances further into the red, with the debt rising from £299.8m to £351.4m, with interest payments on loans increasing by £3.6m to £40.1m.

With their rivals sensing weakness, there have already been reports of Chelsea preparing a £70m bid for Torres and Real Madrid considering a £35m offer for Gerrard.

Broughton said neither instances would be considered as both players remained integral to manager Rafael Benitez’s team.

‘‘There is absolutely no reason to sell either Torres or Gerrard,’’ said the British Airways chairman, brought in last month by the co-owners to oversee the sale of the club.

‘‘I don’t want to sell either of them.

“Rafa does not want to sell either of them, the club is not looking to sell them. We don’t need to do it to pay off any debt.”

Reds Dismiss Transfer Fears

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has insisted there is no danger of the club selling Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool's parent company Kop Holdings has announced a loss before tax of £54.9million, while the club itself made an operating loss before tax of £16million in the year ending 31st July, 2009.

Reports have suggested that rivals could now look to test Liverpool's resolve by lodging big-money offers for captain Gerrard or talismanic striker Torres.

The Reds will be desperate to re-establish themselves next season after missing out on a place in the UEFA Champions League and Broughton has assured fans that Torres and Gerrard remain integral to Rafa Benitez's team.

"There is absolutely no reason to sell either Torres or Gerrard" said the British Airways chairman, brought in last month by co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to oversee the sale of the club.

"I don't want to sell either of them. Rafa does not want to sell either of them, the club is not looking to sell them.

"We don't need to do it to pay off any debt.

"Torres is one of the great players and every club would love to have him. We have got him and there is no intention of selling him."

Broughton held talks with Benitez earlier this week regarding the search for new owners and also plans for the summer squad rebuilding.

There are further get-togethers scheduled but with debt levels increasing at the club it seems unlikely Benitez will be handed the £50million-plus he feels he needs to get the club back into Champions League contention.

"We have met, it was a frank exchange of views, constructive and very helpful," said Broughton.

"The squad does need strengthening and that is an ongoing process which will not be stopped by the sale.

"We have sat down with Rafa to determine what is the strength of it (the squad), what it needs, who are the right players and who needs to be sold.

"What I have asked from Rafa is what any football club board ask at the end of the season.

"It is for an appraisal of each of the players, where the weak links are, which players he would prefer to sell if he had the opportunity, which positions he needs to fill, who are his prime candidates and what would be his priorities."

Broughton also revealed he hoped new owners would be in place at Anfield in a 'matter of months'.

"Success for me is completing a sale within a relatively short period - a matter of months - to someone who, hindsight says, was a very good owner for Liverpool," he told the club's official website.

John Aldridge: Javier Mascherano Is My Player Of Liverpool FC’s Season

Liverpool’s Player of the Year will soon be announced but while Pepe Reina is the odds-on favorite, my vote goes elsewhere.

Having been such a supporter of Javier Mascherano through the year and giving him so many Man of the Match awards on Radio City, it would be wrong of me to desert him at this stage.

He might have endured a slow start to the campaign but I felt he got better and better with each week and played starring roles in a couple of different positions, like when he slotted in a right-back at the Anfield derby.

It must be stressed, though, that Reina was only a fraction behind and his attitude and commitment has been first class; he is one of the best keepers in the world and Liverpool are lucky to have him.

With Reina and Mascherano, plus a few others, we have got a number of top players but Anfield needs revolutionizing, right from the top.

This is the biggest summer in Liverpool’s history and mistakes cannot be made.