Athletic Bilbao Sign Liverpool Defender Mikel San Jose

Primera Division outfit Athletic Bilbao has secured the services of young defender Mikel San Jose from English side Liverpool for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the Basque side.

The highly rated defender is a product of the Bilbao youth academy, but left the club for an adventure at Liverpool in the summer of 2007 before making any first team appearances.

San Jose failed to break into the first team at the Reds though and was therefore farmed out on loan back to Athletic Bilbao this season. The defender made 25 appearances this term and convinced them to make his move permanent.

Bilbao finished eighth in the league table and head coach Joaquin Caparros is determined to add some fresh blood to his squad this summer in order to fight for the European places again next season.

Liverpool FC Legend Billy Liddell Will Never Be Forgotten

A true Liverpool legend is set to be honoured this weekend with a memorial garden unveiled in his name.

Billy Liddell is one of Liverpool's most prolific goalscorers of all time.

Liddell was recommended to the Reds in 1938 by former Liverpool player and future Manchester United manager, Matt Busby.

Busby had spotted Liddell playing for his local amateur league side Lochgelly Violet and persuaded Liverpool to tempt the teenager south from his home in Townhill near Dunfermline.

It was a tremendous find. Less than two years later, Liddell made his senior debut. Over the next two decades he went on to score 228 goals in 534 appearances for Liverpool - the only club he played for as a professional.

Although he spent the last six years of his career playing in the old division two, Liddell was revered among his contemporaries for his strength and bravery as much as his goalscoring.

A Scotland international, Liddell joined Stanley Matthews in 1955 as the only two players to have the distinction of representing a Great British select XI twice some eight years after their first GB appearing.

He was inducted into the Scottish FA's hall of fame two years ago following a campaign by a group of his supporters, the Billy Liddell Memorial Group.

Inter Milan Deny Interest In Rafa Benitez

Inter Milan have strongly denied claims they have contacted Rafa Benitez with a view to him replacing Jose Mourinho at the San Siro.

While Benitez's future at Liverpool has been the subject of much speculation this year, Mourinho is favourite to take over from the under fire Manuel Pellegrini at Real Madrid.

The former Chelsea boss has said he will make a decision on his future after Saturday's Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu.

Should Mourinho head to Madrid on a permanent basis, Benitez is likely to be on Inter's shortlist to succeed him in Milan.

When asked about Benitez, though, Inter's sporting director Marco Branca told Sky Italia: “We absolutely have had no contact with Benitez.

“Our coach is Jose Mourinho.”

Benitez has also been linked with Juventus in recent months but the Turin club's interest in the Spaniard has now cooled and they have turned their attention to former Sampdoria manager Luigi Del Nieri.

Del Nieri stepped down at Sampdoria earlier this week just 24 hours after securing a Champions League place for the Genoa based club.

The 59-year-old is now expected to replace Alberto Zaccheroni at Juventus, whose contract expires this month.

A statement from Sampdoria read: “Sampdoria announces that in the 2010-11 campaign, they will not continue with the services of first team coach Luigi Del Neri.

“The club wants to thank the coach and his staff for the professionalism and dedication shown this season and wishes them the best of luck in their future careers.”

Rafa Benitez Pleased With Ryan Babel’s Improved Attitude

Rafa Benitez believes Ryan Babel can maintain a prominent place in Liverpool’s squad next season if he maintains his new-found focus.

Having looked at one point during the winter transfer window as if he was on the verge of joining Birmingham City in a £9m deal, the Dutch international knuckled down to feature in all bar two of the Reds’ final 23 games.

It was a huge turnaround for Babel, as he had previously clashed with Benitez over a decision to be left out of the squad that drew 1-1 with Stoke City on January 16 – the player used the social networking website, Twitter, to reveal the manager’s plan.

He was then sent home from training for showing a poor attitude shortly after that but after clear-the-air talks, Benitez decided to give Babel another chance, rather than send him to Ajax on loan.

A number of clubs in Europe are still monitoring Babel’s situation and it’s quite possible Liverpool’s resolve will be tested when the window formally opens for business but Benitez has given the impression he is not ready to hurry him away.

So long as he keeps his focus, Benitez has indicated he would be willing to provide a platform for Babel to showcase his talents and is pleased with the attitude he has shown.

“We had a meeting with him in January,” said Benitez, who brought Babel to Anfield in the summer of 2007. “I expressed my ideas and he expressed his ideas about the future.

“I was very clear that I wanted to keep him because he is a player who has the ability to make a difference in games.

“He told me that he wanted to be playing games and working hard. I then told him there was no problem because we both had the same ideas.”

Babel suggested at one point towards the end of the season that he was hugely self-critical, a trait he picked up after strict upbringing in Holland.

But Benitez – who has been linked with Inter Milan post currently occupied by Jose Mourinho – believes will gain more confidence and faith in his ability if he learns to relax a little more.

“It was good for him to get chance and good for the team,” said Benitez.

“When we signed him, we met his family and you could see they were good people, who wanted him to do well.

“Ryan has had problems but he is growing and I think at the end of the season he was much better.”

Liverpool Preparing Double Swoop For Experienced Duo

Despite being broke and the club in turmoil, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is not only staying at Anfield but intends to bring in new players even if he has to now seek approval from the clubs chairman Martin Broughton.

Liverpool will have a modest transfer budget for next season according to reports from financial websites (yes from financial websites) who have been reporting on Liverpool’s precarious financial state all season and the club will not be selling either Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres but actually strengthening the squad with experienced Internationals.

Rafa Benitez is keen on Manchester City’s Steven Ireland and Chelsea’s Joe Cole, reports had surfaced that Liverpool could not meet Cole’s wage demands, however with Tottenham also baulking at Cole’s demands and his current club Chelsea not prepared to pay Cole what he wants the player now has to lower his financial demands.

The only problem for Liverpool is that Cole wants Champions League football something that Liverpool can no longer offer, that however is seen as a mild stumbling block and while Spurs remain favourites to end up with Cole, he could still end up at Anfield now that Benitez’s future is sorted and the almost certainty that Torres and Gerrard will remain Liverpool players.

Stephen Ireland wants out of Manchester City desperately, he is unhappy there and Liverpool have been linked with the player on a regular basis, City are prepared to listen to offers for Ireland who has accepted that he will not figure in Roberto Mancini’s plans next season and again Benitez will face stiff competition from Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham.

The advantage this time for Liverpool though is that Ireland wants to remain in the North of England and that has put Liverpool in the driving seat but and it is a big but, Man Utd are also said to be interested in the Man City midfielder and a move from Sir Alex Ferguson is seen as a bigger obstacle than a bid from Tottenham.

It at least appears that things are starting to settle down at Anfield, he club is now looking forward with a more positive outlook and the doom merchants that were writing off both Rafa Benitez and Liverpool may find that they have jumped the gun somewhat.

Babel Worried Over Holland Spot

Liverpool forward Ryan Babel admits he is no certainty to make Holland's final cut for the World Cup finals this summer.

The 23-year-old was a member of the Dutch squad that reached the last 16 in Germany four years ago when he made just a single substitute appearance.

But after struggling to impose himself at Liverpool in recent times Babel is not counting on playing at the tournament again this time around.

"I am still not sure if I'm going to be in the squad but that is the aim for me to play in the World Cup finals for Holland," Babel told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"The World Cup is something special for every footballer. I was 18 when I was in the squad in 2006 and it was a great experience."

Babel was named in boss Bert van Marwijk's provisional squad last week, but the Dutch boast a number of top-class attacking options that could see him left out.

Babel is in competition with his Reds team-mate Dirk Kuyt, the fit-again Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Klaas Jan Huntelaar, but regardless of his own position Babel believes those players ensure the Oranje will be strong contenders in South Africa.

"I think we have a good squad," he added.

"If everyone is fit then we have a great team that can give anyone a game."

Holland begin their World Cup campaign against Denmark in Johannesburg on June 14 with Japan and Cameroon making up the rest of Group E.

Liverpool And Juventus Prepare Swap Deal For Outcasts Alberto Aquilani And Felipe Melo

Liverpool and Juventus are prepared to set-up a swap deal to end the nightmare spells of Alberto Aquilani and Felipe Melo at the clubs, according to Tuttosport.

Both endured a troubled spell since making their big money moves last summer. Aquilani spent the majority of last season on the treatment table after his £20 million switch from Roma, while £22 million man Melo endured a fractious relationship with the Old Lady support as the team sunk to seventh place in Serie A.

The players could now each be offered a fresh start. Italian international Aquilani is seen by new Juventus boss Luigi Del Neri as the missing link in attacking midfield, while Melo could help fill the void at Anfield left by Xabi Alonso.

England Call Was Too Strong For Carragher

Jamie Carragher has admitted he could not turn down the chance to play for England again.

Three years after announcing his retirement from the international scene, Carragher is back, attempting to be one of the 23 players Fabio Capello will rely on to bring the World Cup back to Blighty in July.

"This opportunity to try to get into the 23 has come up again now and was something I couldn't turn down," he said.

It was a staggering about-turn, which Carragher accepts he never thought would happen, especially given much-publicized comments in his autobiography highlighting how England's fortunes paled alongside those of his beloved Liverpool.

But, the 32-year-old freely accepts, with Liverpool's fortunes taking a nose-dive, and Capello making such a big impression since replacing Steve McClaren in December 2007, he started to look at the Three Lions in a whole new light.

"I made my decision a few years ago for different reasons," he added.

"Fabio Capello is one of the best managers, not just the England team have had, but in world football over the past 10 or 15 years.

"I was always asking Steven Gerrard what the manager was like when he came back from England duty. That was a massive reason behind it."

Liverpool Outcast Albert Riera Launches Fresh Attack On Rafael Benitez

Liverpool rebel Albert Riera has fired a fresh broadside at manager Rafael Benitez and has accused him of having too much control at Anfield.

Riera was suspended for three days in March and frozen out of the first team after describing the club as a "sinking ship" on Spanish radio while blasting Benitez's management style. A move to Russian giants Spartak Moscow was lined up, but the winger's wage demands scuppered his chance of gaining the playing time necessary to make Spain's World Cup squad.

Now the 28-year-old has attacked Benitez once again, this time bemoaning the manager's power at the Merseyside club.

"I want to leave. English clubs are run differently that Spanish clubs. In England you have a manager at the club, and the board of the club has done nothing for me," Riera said, according to the Liverpool Echo.

"The club has not put up any fight for me. I do not want to quarrel with somebody, but if a club doesn't fight for you that mean that they don't want you. I do not want to be in a place where I am not wanted.

"I did not play the last two months and right now my objective it is to go to a club were I can feel appreciated and where I can win trophies.

"I am not worried about the money now or the country I go to."

Rafael Benitez Targets Future Stint As Spain Boss

Rafael Benitez has targeted a future spell as Spain manager despite being "very happy" at Liverpool.

The Reds supremo has endured a troubled season on Merseyside. Rumours have constantly linked him with an exit to Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Juventus after he could only guide the side to seventh place in the Premier League.

Speaking to AS, the Madrid native refused to draw the curtain on his Anfield reign, though he professed his desire to coach La Roja one day.

Benitez said: "Right now I have four years left in my contract with Liverpool and I am very happy there.

"But, of course, in a few years, once [Spain coach Vicente] Del Bosque ends his work, I would like to be Spain coach.

"All of the Spanish coaches would like in the future to become national team manager."

Rafa Benitez The Right Man For Liverpool FC, Says John Barnes

Liverpool FC legend John Barnes has backed manager Rafa Benitez to bring success back to the club after a season of underachievement.

The Reds finished seventh, their worst Barclays Premier League position for 11 years, and suffered early exits from the Champions League and FA Cup.

There has been widespread speculation about Benitez’s future but former Liverpool FC winger Barnes said it would make no sense in changing the manager at this point.

"I’m a Rafa supporter and believe he is the right man to be at Liverpool," said the ex-England ace, who won two league championships and two FA Cups during his 10-year spell at Anfield.

"Liverpool is a club now without any money. Why change the manager?

"What’s a new manager going to do without any money? If a new manager comes in to work with the same players is that the way to improve?"

Barnes, who scored 108 goals in 407 appearances for Liverpool FC, said things had to be put in perspective and this season should be viewed as a blip rather than a sign of terminal decline - a defence put forward by Benitez himself.

"We underachieved in terms of finishing seventh this season," Barnes said.

"We overachieved by coming second the year before. But if there’s no investment I can’t see the point in changing the manager at all.

"Rafa is a good coach. He’s a good manager. He’s proven it in the past and I believe he will do so in the future.

"Hopefully he will be able to bring some new players in this summer. We need more players - we need more quality."

Benitez Aims To Land ‘Best of British’

Benitez promised Liverpool will continue to pursue a “Best of British” transfer policy whenever possible this summer as they begin the task of rebuilding.

The Reds swooped to sign hot prospect Jonjo Shelvey – who has played for England at a number of youth levels – last month from Charlton Athletic in a £1.7m deal.

They are also close to wrapping up a move for Glasgow Rangers defender Danny Wilson, a move that looks all the more shrewd after he was named Scotland’s Young Player of the Year.

In the past, Benitez has been criticised for favouring the foreign transfer market and not giving home-grown players the opportunity to show they are good enough to play for Liverpool.

Benitez, however, has defended his policy and has made it clear he would be happy to chase deals for English players – as long as the right option comes along.

“It is something that we have always tried to do,” he said. “We tried to sign Gareth Barry, we did the same with (Glen) Johnson. That was always the idea.

“We have tried to bring in British players with the right mentality and the passion for the club.

“We want them to know what it means to play for Liverpool Football Club.

“Shelvey is an addition like that. We are trying to do what is best for the club. We have a long-term plan in place and we try to follow that.”

"I Want Liverpool To Be The Number One Club In The World"

Robbie Fowler is desperate to see Liverpool fall into the right hands as supporters, players and back room staff waits for current owners George Gillet and Tom Hicks to formally put the Premier League club up for sale.

The former Anfield favourite, who is currently plying his trade in Australia, is also sure that star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will not seek a move away from the struggling Liverpool despite reported interest from the likes of Manchester City, Inter Milan and Chelsea and with the future of Rafael Benitez under a cloud.

Fowler is nothing short of a Liverpool legend following two stints at the club which saw him play in the front of the Kop for a combined total of nine years. Speaking to Sky Sports News about the sad state of affairs enveloping his former club, Fowler reflected on Liverpool’s future.

"I want Liverpool to be the number one club in the world.

"Obviously the current owners have put the club up for sale and for the life of me I can't think why there are no takers just yet.

"You always want the best players and as far as I'm concerned Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torrres are the best players.

"I hope they stay and I can't see them leaving to be honest. I mean they've both come out on record saying how much they love the club and that's good enough for me."

Liverpool finished seventh in the Premier League last season, slipping five places from their best ever performance the year before. Having failed to secure Champions League football and instead facing another season in the Europa League it has been hinted that the club might struggle to attract top continental stars.

Steven Gerrard Calls For Return Of Fan Power

Steven Gerrard believes England’s fans can make the difference in South Africa as Fabio Capello’s side begin their World Cup build-up in earnest.

The bulk of England’s World Cup squad jetted out of Heathrow yesterday morning for the first of their two altitude training camps in Austria.

Gerrard was among 24 players on the trip, which is being used as preparation for England’s opening group game on June 12 against the United States at Rustenburg – 1,500 metres above sea level.

The only men were the five players involved in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley, plus Gareth Barry, who continues to have treatment on the ankle injury that makes him a major doubt for the finals.

England return home to face Mexico in a friendly next Monday before another spell in Austria that includes a friendly against Japan in Graz on May 30, after which Capello will name his 23-man finals squad on June 1.

A large number of England supporters are expected to make the journey to South Africa, with Capello’s men also likely to enjoy a degree of local backing.

And vice-captain Gerrard is convinced those fans can play a part as England aim for a first major tournament success since 1966.

“The fans see that we’re working really hard to improve and we’re desperate to achieve something for them,” said Gerrard. “That is what we do it for.

“It would be fantastic if we could send them home from South Africa really happy and really proud of the team.

“I’ve played in situations where the fans haven’t been behind the team and it’s difficult. It affects performance and individuals and it’s not helpful.

“But on the other hand, I’ve played in front of a packed Wembley when the fans are roaring us on to victory and it’s a massive help.

“If we can get that kind of support in the World Cup, it could be key for us in getting over this quarter-final hurdle and going further.

“That’s the message I’d like to send to the fans – get behind us, roar us on and it will definitely help us out there.”

Meanwhile, new Liverpool signing Jonjo Shelvey has been tipped to emerge as an heir to Gerrard’s midfield mantle at Anfield.

Rafael Benitez moved to snap up the England youth international from Charlton Athletic earlier this month for an initial £1.7million with further potential payments depending on domestic and international appearances.

And Charlton’s academy director Steve Gritt believes the acquisition will prove a shrewd piece of business.

“Even before he made his debut, we knew Jonjo was a special player,” said Gritt.

“He’s the kind that only comes through an academy system once in a while. From a very young age, everybody at the club believed that he would progress to become a Premier League player because he had so much potential. Now I am certain he’ll fulfil all that early promise.

“The last few years have seen development in terms of height and strength. I’m sure he’s still got a bit of weight to put on and when he does he’ll have that Premier League presence that is a minimum requirement these days.

“It has been said in the past, and I have to agree that he has a bit of Gerrard in him. He can get box to box, he’s got a very good range of passing and he can see an opportunity where others can’t. He’s the kind of player that if he sees a goalkeeper off his line 30-40 yards out, he’s precocious enough to shoot.

“If he’s got any faults, he’d probably admit that he’s got to improve on the defensive side of the game. Because he’s such an attacking player, naturally there are going to be aspects of his defensive game that he’ll have to improve. I’m sure he will.”

Inter Prepare Formal Bid To Bring Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez To Serie A

Inter are set to open formal talks with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, according to The Mirror.

Current boss Jose Mourinho is set to end his two-year stay at Giuseppe Meazza after this weekend's Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Benitez has been lined up as the replacement for 'the Special One', and could decide to call time on his Anfield reign.

The Italian champions have already accepted that Mourinho is destined for the Real Madrid hot-seat. Chairman Massimo Moratti has admiited: “It will be a surprise now if he stays.”

Inter’s first choice was England coach Fabio Capello, but the Italian has pledged to stay in the job until at least Euro 2012. Moratti has now begun the process to begin talks with Liverpool to hire Benitez.

Informal contact is reported to already be underway between the Spaniard’s agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, and Inter. An approach is expected to follow next week.

Barcelona To Outbid Chelsea For Torres

Barcelona are ready to make an audacious bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Reports in Spain suggest that Barcelona are ready to outbid Chelsea for Fernando Torres.

Barcelona have appeared to have won the race to sign David Villa from Valencia.

And it is thought they will do whatever it takes to bring Torres back to Spain.

A deal to sign Torres would cost in the region of £70million, a figure that would push the limits of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's considerable purse strings.

Rafa Benitez has made it clear he wants to keep Torres if he remains in charge at the club and the player himself would have to ask for the move to force Liverpool's hand and spark formal negotiations.

Torres has so far remained eerily quiet on his future, as he and his advisors consider whether Liverpool can meet his personal ambitions and aims without Champions League football next term.

Rafael Benitez Keen On Sevilla Winger Jesus Navas

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is believed to have identified Sevilla winger Jesus Navas as a summer transfer target, according to Spanish publication AS.

The talented 24-year-old has been a revelation for the Andalusian side this season and is almost certain to be included in the Spain squad for the World Cup finals having already made the 30-man provisional list.

The Reds boss is reportedly keen to secure the signature of Navas to bolster their attacking options on the right wing but attempts to sign the player are likely to be met with fierce resistance for a number of reasons.

Firstly, Liverpool are said to be proposing a fee of around €17 million which falls well short of the €60 million stipulated in Navas' buyout clause.

The absence of UEFA Champions League football on Merseyside, something Sevilla secured at the weekend, is likely to be another major obstacle while Navas is also known to suffer from anxiety problems when spending long periods of time away from home. Although these problems have diminished somewhat in recent months, they may prove a bridge too far in trying to relocate the star to Anfield.

Chelsea Track Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun To Replace Outgoing Joe Cole

Chelsea appears resigned to losing Joe Cole in the summer but are lining up Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun as a replacement, according to a report by ESPNsoccernet.

Cole has not yet come to an agreement with the Blues over a new deal, with his current contract set to expire, and the Israeli has been lined up to fill the Cole-shaped hole in at Stamford Bridge next season.

A Stamford Bridge insider told Soccernet: "There is no doubt that Yossi Benayoun is highly thought of at the club, and it wouldn't surprise me if he came to Chelsea."

Cole recently said he was not thinking about his Chelsea future until after the World Cup, putting his England chances ahead of any new deal in west London, but it appears the Blues are one step ahead with their interest in Benayoun.

After a season mostly blighted by injury it's no surprise Cole is way down the Castrol Rankings. He comes in at No.1126, making him only the 16th best Chelsea player in the listings.

Rafa - We Can Attract The Best

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez remains confident that the club can still attract high caliber signings despite the absence of UEFA Champions League football.

The Reds concluded a disappointing Premier League campaign with a seventh-placed finish, losing their grip on a much-coveted place at Europe's top table.

The outcome means Benitez's team will be competing in the Europa League next season and the Spaniard is hoping funds will be available to strengthen his squad as he looks to restore the Anfield club's reputation.

Speculation still surrounds Benitez and his future on Merseyside, with both Inter and AC Milan said to be interested in recruiting the 50-year-old.

Juventus had been keen on taking on the Liverpool boss but the Old Lady opted for Luigi Del Neri instead, although Leonardo's departure from Milan and Jose Mourinho's expected exit from Inter could pave the way for Benitez.

But the former Valencia tactician said he was focusing on plans for his existing employers, explaining Liverpool's status in the world of football would still make it an attractive choice - despite a dearth of cash and no place in Europe's premier club competition.

Benitez said: "Liverpool is a massive club and can attract top-class players because of their name and their history and the quality we have in the squad.

"Always we have targets in mind. We have been working and preparing the targets and every year is the same."

Stephen Darby Scores Penalty Shoot-out Winner To Send Swindon To Wembley

Liverpool’s on-loan defender Stephen Darby fired Swindon to Wembley with the winning penalty in the shoot-out at the end of Monday night’s League One semi-final second leg with Charlton at the Valley.

Charlton skipper Nicky Bailey’s missed penalty proved costly on a night of drama at The Valley.

Midfielder Bailey left the field in tears after sending his side’s second penalty of the shoot-out high over the crossbar, while Liverpool’s Darby converted Swindon’s final spot-kick to secure Town a shot at reaching the Championship.

Swindon had looked down and out midway through the second half when, at 2-0 down on the night and 3-2 on aggregate, they lost defender Gordon Greer to a red card.

But the 10 men levelled through Danny Ward and, when 180 minutes of football plus half an hour’s extra-time, six goals and two sending-offs failed to separate the sides, the Robins prevailed on penalties.

Danny Wilson’s side will now face either Huddersfield or Millwall in next weekend's final, who meet tonight.

Charlton had by far the better of the chances in extra-time but the Addicks, relegated from the Premier League just three years ago, could not find a way through and when penalties came around, the Robins’ and Darby’s nerve held where Bailey’s did not.

Mourinho: Liverpool Is An Incredible Phenomenon

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has taken a veiled swipe at the current standard of the Premier League as he ran the rule over the achievements of Carlo Ancelotti in his first season in charge of Chelsea. The Italian coach saw his Stamford Bridge outfit secure their first Double when they beat Portsmouth on Saturday at Wembley; a feat that not even the ‘Special One’ achieved despite his considerable success in England.

However, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Champions League final the Portuguese coach stressed that while he was pleased for the Blues, it was the lack of consistency amongst their rivals which opened the door for more silverware in west London. Pinpointing the struggles faced by Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, Mourinho also took time to dismiss championship challenge from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Mourinho won the Premier League title twice while coach at Chelsea, beating off competition from Arsene Wenger’s ‘invincible’ Arsenal side to win the title by 12 points in 2004-05 before retaining their crown by holding off the likes of Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool and Sir Alex Ferguson’s previously dominant Manchester United.

Quitting the following season to be replaced by Avram Grant, Mourinho’s former side reached the Champions League final in Moscow, only to be beaten by Manchester United on penalties. Having also surrendered their Premier League title to the men from Old Trafford and subsequently seen Liverpool overtake them in the league in 2008-09 it has been a resurgent Chelsea side who has confidently taken the field under Ancelotti in the last nine months. Speaking to the Sunday Times about the competition he faced in England, Mourinho started by targeting Arsene Wenger's shift in philosophy at Arsenal before hammering Liverpool for their gradual decline:

“Arsenal won it in an incredible way [2003-04] and after that they thought they could win in a different way.

“They cannot win it in a different way. Either they go back to where they were or they don’t do it.

“Man United lost Ronaldo. Okay, the coach is a tremendous coach, the team is full of great players, but Ronaldo is Ronaldo, and he scores 30 goals a season. Ronaldo wins points and points and points. When a club and the league lose a player like Ronaldo it loses a lot.

“Liverpool is an incredible phenomenon. From 2004 to 2010 it looks like the team instead of improving is getting worse. Tottenham is coming, Aston Villa is coming, Man City is coming, but I think that magic of a fight of titans, all of them very, very strong in the top of the League, I don’t see this season was like this.

“Chelsea was out of Champions League very, very soon. They could concentrate on the championship — and they did it very well. Carlo is very experienced, he kept the team calm and focused, and he didn’t let them lose focus and confidence. They concentrate very, very well in the championship, and they deserve to win it in the end.”

Juventus Set To End Pursuit Of Benitez

The Liverpool Echo claims that Italian giants Juventus will not appoint Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez in the end, despite constant speculation that he would move to Turin.

Benitez has made his frustration over the future direction of Liverpool clear and last week met with new chairman Martin Broughton to seek assurances. Juventus have been closely linked to Benitez for months and were thought to have made concrete offers to the Spaniard.

However, the Liverpool Echo claims that incoming Juventus president Andrea Agnelli favours the appointment of Sampdoria coach Luigi Del Nieri, speculating that he could be announced as the successor to Alberto Zaccheroni this week.

Should this prove to be the case, Benitez's Anfield future is still in doubt. If Jose Mourinho leaves Inter Milan, Benitez's name will no doubt be linked to the San Siro. Although Benitez has four years remaining on his Liverpool contract, it would seem unlikely that he will stay at Anfield without a firm financial basis with which to strengthen his squad.

Given that unpopular American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have put the club up for sale, this is far from certain.

Debt-ridden Liverpool To Miss Out On Summer Signings

Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez is likely to miss out on a number of transfer targets this summer with a takeover of the struggling club unlikely to happen before the start of next season.

The former Valencia manager was a target for Juventus, but the Italian giants ended their interest after Benítez failed to give them a clear answer about whether he was willing to join the Turin side.

Benítez had looked at a number of potential signings in the summer with things looking up after co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett put the club up for sale. But a lack of potential investors and a high asking price means a takeover is unlikely to happen during the summer transfer window.

Meetings with the club’s new part-time chairman Martin Broughton will not have made the Liverpool boss any more optimistic, with the Chelsea supporter failing to offer the Spanish boss any assurances on the clubs summer transfer policy.

Liverpool have been linked with Sevilla winger Jesus Navas, West Ham striker Carlton Cole and Werder Bremen forward Mesut Ozil, but with Liverpool’s financial future looking increasingly bleak it’s unlikely the debt-ridden club will be able to compete for the players’ signatures.

One glimmer of hope for Liverpool supporters will be the arrival of former Standard Liege front man Milan Jovanovic, who agreed a pre-contract agreement with the Reds in his last year with the Belgian club to ensure he’d be at Anfield in time for the new season.

It looks increasingly likely that Benítez will have to look for more free transfers such as Jovanvic and Maxi Rodriguez, with reports suggesting the Liverpool manger is unlikely to see any real financial backing in the summer, which may force him to once again sell off players in order to fund new signings.

Even more worrying for Liverpool supporters will be comments from Javier Mascherano which suggested he may look to leave Merseyside for Barcelona. If the Argentine does leave Anfield he may be the first of a number of a number of first-team players to make their way out of Anfield in the summer.

Race On For Reds Starlet

Skysports.com understands a number of clubs are eyeing Liverpool defender Robbie Threlfall.

Left-back Threlfall seems set to leave Liverpool this summer upon the expiration of his contract.

The news has alerted a number of clubs to Threlfall's availability on a free transfer.

Threlfall has just ended a productive loan spell at Bradford where he made 17 appearances, scoring two goals for the League Two outfit.

A host of sides are believed to have kept tabs on Threlfall's progress during his time at Bradford and could now move for him this summer.

Mascherano Admits Barca Blow

Javier Mascherano has admitted his form was affected by last summer's transfer talks over a move from Liverpool to Barcelona.

And the Argentina captain has left the door open again for Barca by saying it's "a shame" for himself and his family that he did not secure a move to the Catalan capital.

The 25-year-old midfielder was in talks over joining the Spanish champions but a switch did not materialize.

He then made a slow start to the season with Liverpool and although he finished the campaign strongly, it was an ultimately disappointing year for the Reds as they finished seventh.

Rafa Benitez signed him on a four-year deal in February 2008 after joining on loan from West Ham a year earlier, but Mascherano could be leaving early after hinting he would still welcome a move.

"The situation with Barcelona really affected me,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

"It was a shame it didn't happen as it was the city where I wanted to live.

"There were many discussions and problems during that month-and-a-half. They were difficult times for me. One day I was off to Barcelona, the next I wasn't, and Liverpool said I was non-transferable.

"Psychologically, it affected me as I couldn't think in Liverpool and I was focused on other stuff and not on my work, my training and playing.

"Also, we were having problems with Argentina as our qualification to the World Cup was in danger. There was a lot of complicated stuff at that time."

Mascherano insists he is happy with life in England but his wife is finding it hard to settle.

"I have no problem living in Liverpool,” he said. "But my wife and daughters deserve to enjoy every day to the full and live their lives, but they have to be home all day.

"My wife doesn't speak a word of English so she depends 100 per cent on me. I live here with them. That's my world, that's my life. "

Carlton Cole Battle Hots Up As Liverpool And Villa Join Race For Striker

Liverpool and Aston Villa have joined the race for Carlton Cole after it emerged last night that West Ham rejected a £10million bid for the striker.

The offer has come from Birmingham who is desperate to prise the England frontman away from Upton Park.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has spoken directly to Hammers chief executive Karren Brady about a deal made up of £8million cash with £2million in bonuses.

The offer was rejected out of hand by Brady, whom City believes is trying to spark an auction for the player.

The dismissal of Birmingham's bid is all the more surprising given the fact that Cole remains one of the players West Ham insist they are willing to sell.

Indeed, co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are understood to have been in touch with a string of agents in an attempt to get the best possible deal for the player.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been a big fan of Cole for some time and, in the last week, the club have contacted West Ham about putting together a deal.

Liverpool too has expressed an interest and remains keen despite the fact that Cole has been left out of Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup.

Cole, 26, began his career with Chelsea in 2001. A highly-rated youngster, he was sent out on loan to Wolves, Villa and Charlton before joining West Ham permanently in 2006.

Rafa Lines Up £11m Move For 11m Sampdoria Man Giampaolo Pazzini

Liverpool are lining up a bid for Italian striker Giampaolo Pazzini this summer as Rafa Benitez looks to bring in new attacking options to his faltering Anfield side. After a break out season at Sampdoria the 25 year old has become a target for many sides looking to lure the former Fiorentina man away from the Genoa side.

The Merseyside club has found themselves too reliant on Fernando Torres over the past two seasons and Benitez is looking to bring in reinforcements. Whilst the club has secured Milan Jovanovic on a free deal they are still hopeful of bringing in another striker to the club.

Pazzini is valued at around £11m and whilst Liverpool is in financial difficulties Benitez believes he can finance any deal for the Italian international by selling some of his squad players. The likes of Albert Rieira, Philipp Degen and Ryan Babel could all be set to leave the club this summer and their sales would help bring in money to help any move for the Italian international.

Liverpool Fans Considering Season Ticket Boycott In Protest At Hicks And Gillett

Liverpool fans are considering a boycott of season tickets in the summer in protest at the club’s owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Thousands of supporters hope hitting the owners in the pocket will persuade them to reduce their sale price and leave after putting the club £237 million in debt.

Although Liverpool supporters union Spirit of Shankly say an organised boycott is not yet on the cards, the anti-Hicks and Gillett campaign is gathering momentum.

“Fans are considering giving up season tickets to the games next year if Hicks and Gillett are still in charge,” Spirit of Shankly spokesman James McKenna exclusively told Goal.com UK.

“Fans are looking at what we can do to affect Hicks and Gillett’s ownership.

“A mass boycott is not something that’s on the agenda at the moment. But if their regime continues, I know that a lot of fans will be asking serious questions whether they should go to the games.”

A protest that denied Hicks and Gillett much-needed revenue could have a serious impact on the financial running of the club.

Liverpool are currently £237m in the red. Concerns grew stronger recently with the revelation that the Merseysiders registered record annual losses of £55m for the year ending July 2009 and are paying £110,000-a-day in interest payments.

Representatives from Spirit of Shankly met with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore in London last Friday to air their concerns about the way in which the club is being run and, while Scudamore backed the ongoing protests, he told the fans group the debts amassed by Hicks and Gillett are currently sustainable.

“They are satisfied the long-term future of the club is not threatened because we have saleable assets such as players who can still be sold down the line,” McKenna said.

“But our idea of sustainability is different to theirs. We are aware we could go down the path of Leeds United if the debt can’t be paid. When you are losing money, you can’t move forward. It’s a very scary thought.

“Fans want issues resolved. We support the football team and don’t support the financial team.”

Hicks and Gillett officially put Liverpool up for sale last month and drafted in British Airways chairman Martin Broughton to help speed up the process.

“We have asked several questions to Martin Broughton to find out what is going on,” explained McKenna. “We are awaiting a response. We feel the future of our club Liverpool, in its current format, is unsustainable.

“This summer is vital for Liverpool Football Club, not just on the pitch in terms of getting a foothold in the transfer market but in terms of sorting out the ownership. It’s quite clear that off the pitch matters are affecting what happens on the pitch.

“Our plans now are to keep the pressure on Hicks and Gillett to make sure we are listened to.

“We want to see fit and proper owners who are prepared to invest in the club, don’t tell lies and live up to their promises.”

Asked about the future of manager Rafael Benitez, McKenna said: “Personally, I want him to stay. Even if you wanted him out, a new manager would want money to spend on players and we haven’t got that.”

Liverpool Place £10 Million Transfer Fee On Benitez

Liverpool have placed a massive £10million transfer fee on manager Rafa Benitez.

That’s the reason his proposed move to Juventus has been held up – and possibly scuppered altogether.

When the Italian club made an official approach for Benitez, Liverpool demanded £10m in compensation, as their Spanish boss still has four years left on his contract.

Juventus have refused to meet that figure and no compromise deal has been agreed. The situation has left Benitez, and Liverpool, in limbo – so Juventus are now considering other targets.

The Anfield side were so convinced that the Italian giants would pay the compensation that they started the search for a new manager. As revealed in the Daily Star Sunday last week, their preference was to go for a British boss, with Aston Villa’s Martin O’Neill at the top of their wanted list.

But with Benitez still at Anfield, Liverpool have had to put their plans on hold.

And the delay in the deal could cause problems as the Merseysiders look to strengthen their squad for next season.

They are currently looking at a number of players – but new faces are unlikely to join when they don’t know who will be in charge.

Aston Villa Chairman Randy Lerner Tells Liverpool To Forget About Taking Martin O'Neill

Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner has warned Liverpool that his manager Martin O'Neill will not be leaving Villa Park this summer.

Recent reports have suggested that the talented Ulsterman had been viewed as the ideal replacement at Anfield should Rafael Benitez choose to leave.

However, the American billionaire has been quick to quash such rumours and is adamant his much admired manager will still be in charge of the west Midlands outfit come the start of next season.

"I don't want a manager who nobody else wants. But, as far as I'm concerned, Liverpool are not taking Martin O'Neill away from Aston Villa," Lerner told The Daily Star.

There have been reports in recent weeks that the relationship between chairman and manager at the Birmingham based club has become strained.

However, Lerner insisted he is happy with the way things are developing with his side reaching the League Cup final and finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Lerner, who also owns the Cleveland Browns in Ohio, admitted he also admired O'Neill's straight talking personality.

"If you look at the top managers, you realise you are dealing with animated, complicated people," added Lerner.

"With Martin [O'Neill] you've got a lot of personality, a lot of points of view, a lot of history and a lot of stuff going on.

"I realise that's who my manager is. And I don't want anything different than what I have here now."

Lerner also delivered a warning to Villa fans that funding a big summer spending spree was out of the question.

"I tell the truth. To anybody who asks me, I will simply say that I cannot afford it," he added.

"It isn't that I'm not prepared to write the cheque. But we have tried to build the club in a steady, reasonable way. And £30 million players are not a part of that.

"You also have to consider what you would pay the player and what the other players would think about it.

"It would just not be at all consistent with anything that we have done since I've been at the club."

Kuyt Says Liverpool Must Buy Players To Challenge Again

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has said that some signings must be made in order to challenge for trophies again.

The Reds suffered a very disappointing season, missing out on Champions League football and will suffer the ignominy of starting their Europa League campaign at the first hurdle in July.

With unpopular American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett having put the club up for sale, there is much uncertainty over Liverpool's financial future and consequently the Anfield careers of Rafa Benitez and star players such as Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Kuyt said that new players are needed, commenting, “If we can buy a few more players, I think we will be really close to winning trophies again."

Looking to the future, Kuyt said that the Reds must make amends next season, commenting, “Liverpool is a massive club,

“It’s very disappointing that we don’t have the Champions League because, up until last season, we had done so well in the competition.

“But this is what has happened. We have just got to make sure that we will be right back in it next year. Players who want to play in the Champions League would like Liverpool.

“We just have to make sure that we will back in it within one year.”

Manchester City Prepare Sensational £80m Package For Liverpool Duo

Manchester City are prepared to use both Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland as bait, in an £80 million package to take Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to Eastlands.

According to the News of the World, despite not qualifying for the Champions League next season, City hope to acquire the Liverpool pair in their bid to crack the top-four and launch an outside title challenge.

Adebayor has been reported to be unhappy at City, while Ireland has failed to make an impact this season despite collecting the 'Player of the Year' award at the club the previous campaign.

City's top-brass value Adebayor at around £30m, while Ireland could fetch up to £10m, meaning the mega-rich club would be prepared to pay an additional £40m to secure their top transfer targets.

With Liverpool's highlighted financial problems, such an injection of funds could prove too tempting to turn down.

Having been touted as a possible Chelsea target this summer, it remains to be seen whether Torres will stay at Anfield with the disappointment of not participating in Europe's premium club competition.

With City's other target Cesc Fabregas likely to favour a move to Barcelona if he were to leave Arsenal, the Citizens are set to tempt Liverpool in parting with their two stars from Merseyside.

Winger: It's Time To Kick On

Tom Ince believes the 2010-11 campaign could be significant in helping him realise his dream of one day playing for Liverpool's first-team.

The 18-year-old winger has enjoyed a fine season as part of Rodolfo Borrell's improving under-18 side and has now set his sights on stepping up a level during the summer months.

"My main aim is to try to get in the reserve team next season," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I've had two years here at the Academy and hopefully the (reserve team) manager will feel I've done enough to earn the call to Melwood.

"I've got another year here as a scholar but I feel now is a good time for me to kick on and I think that the reserves is the logical next step for me to target.

"Obviously it would be great to follow Jack (Robinson) and maybe get on the bench for a first-team game, but that's in the future for now and I need to keep work hard to give myself the best possible chance of succeeding.

"I feel I've gone up a level since the start of the season. It's been a season of change with Rodolfo and Pep coming in as part of the coaching set up, but it's definitely been for the better and I think our unbeaten run to the season shows we are all growing as players."

Home Alone Mascherano Ready To Quit

Javier Mascherano has paved the way for his Liverpool exit this summer by revealing the misery of his family's lonely existence in England.

The Argentina international was close to joining Barcelona last year but was left disappointed when the move to the Nou Camp fell through.

The midfielder's wife and two daughters feel isolated on Merseyside because they don't speak English and don't leave the house.

His only friends in the area are Liverpool's Argentinian players Emiliano Insua and Maxi Rodriguez. He also occasionally sees Manchester City pair Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta.

Mascherano, who will captain his country at the World Cup, looks set to leave Anfield after deciding to put contract talks on hold until after the tournament.

He hopes the club's financial situation - and Rafa Benitez's future - will have been resolved by the time he returns from South Africa in July.

"I don't do much stuff in my free time, that's the truth," said Mascherano.

"I could go to London with my wife to do some shopping but I have already been to London 1,000 times and if I want to go to another city I would have to take a plane.

"What kills me about living in Liverpool is that there are only two Argentinians here with me, Emiliano Insua and Maxi Rodriguez.

"Insua and I live in a private neighbourhood. He lives in one tower and I live in the other. There are 15 metres between us and we used to look at each other through the window.

"Sometimes Zabaleta comes from Manchester but there is no way Carlos Tevez comes here. If I want to see him, I have to go to his place and knock on his door.

"He doesn't like to leave his home. So during the winter, during those four or five months, I have to stay at home all day with my family.

"I have no problem living in Liverpool, but I think my wife and daughters deserve to enjoy every day to the full and live their lives - but they have to be at home all day.

"My wife doesn't speak a word of English, so she depends 100 per cent on me.

"I live here with them. That's my world, that's my life."

Mascherano, 25, arrived at Anfield from West Ham in February 2007.

The £18million move had been made permanent after a brief loan spell and he signed a four-year deal which now has just nine months to run.

Barcelona made their interest known last summer. But Benitez, who was in the process of selling Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, could not decide whether he wanted to sell another midfielder. Eventually he priced Mascherano out of a move.

The player's poor start to this season could be explained by the effect the collapse of the transfer had on him psychologically.

He wanted the move for the sake of his family because life in the Catalan city would have allowed them to speak in their native Spanish.

"The situation with Barcelona really affected me," he said.

"It was a shame it didn't happen as it was the city I wanted to live in.

"There were many discussions and problems during that month and a half. They were difficult times for me. One day I was off to Barcelona, the next I wasn't.

"And Liverpool said I was non-transferable.

"Psychologically, it affected me as I couldn't think in Liverpool and I was focused on other stuff and not on my work, my training and playing.

"Also we were having problems with Argentina as our qualification to the World Cup was in danger.

"There was a lot of complicated stuff at that time."

Benitez Tells Yossi He Has No Future

Yossi Benayoun has been told he has no future at Liverpool by manager Rafa Benitez.

But despite several clubs, including Sevilla and Spurs, hunting the £9million-rated midfielder, Liverpool will block his sale until the Anfield managerial crisis is resolved. Benayoun's fate is being seen as the acid test of whether Benitez will avoid the sack this summer.

Benitez and Benayoun's relationship has broken down and tensions came to a head when the Israeli was left out of the squad for the final league game at Hull a week ago.

No major deals will be sanctioned until the board determines who will lead the team next season, and Benayoun says he is willing to fight on at Anfield under new management.

Benitez will see his decision on Benayoun as a test of how much authority he still has at the club.

If he's over-ruled, he'll know he no longer has the backing of the board, although they're stalling on whether to sack him because of the cost. The sale of Benayoun, who a new manager may wish to keep, would be a clear signal Benitez is staying.

Benayoun won't be the only high profile departure unless there is a change of manager.

But Liverpool are adamant they can bide their time and wait until just before pre-season before clarifying the situation.

What's certain is the only way Benitez will leave is if he's sacked. Despite hints he was considering quitting towards the end of the season, it's clear he would never walk away from his lucrative contract.

Fabio Capello Calls For England Support To Back Jamie Carragher

England boss Fabio Capello hopes England fans will get behind Jamie Carragher as he returns to international competition.

The Liverpool star retired from international duty back in 2007 and has since downplayed the honour of playing for his country, maintaining he would rather win with Liverpool than with England.

With the England boss fearing a backlash if Carragher features for the Three Lions, Capello has proclaimed he hopes fans will show respect to the 34-time capped defender.

“Carragher is one of the England players and the fans must support him,” Capello told the Daily Telegraph. “You have to support all the players. I think during the World Cup all the fans will help us.”

Capello admitted it took some convincing to get Carragher to return to the England fold.

“He had to think about it,” Capello said. “We tried to convince him more or less five times. He said 'no, no, no, no’. And now he said 'yes’. He is focused and a leader on the pitch.”

Reds Mourn Idrizaj

Liverpool Football Club have been shocked and saddened by the death of former striker Besian Idrizaj.

The 22-year-old Austrian is thought to have died in his sleep at his family home on Friday evening.

Idrizaj joined the Reds from LASK Linz in the summer of 2005 but despite spending three years at Anfield, he did not make a competitive appearance for the club.

His best moment in a Liverpool shirt came in a 2007 pre-season clash at Wrexham, in which he netted a first-half hat-trick to secure a 3-2 victory.

Everyone at Liverpool Football Club would like to pass on their condolences to Besian's family and friends at this very sad time.

Rafa Benitez 'Could Replace Jose Mourinho At Inter Milan'

The Spaniard's future at Liverpool is unclear, as he is known to have an uneasy relationship with the club's American owners.

It had been thought he would quit Anfield at the end of the Premier League season and accept a big-money offer to take charge at Juventus.

According to the Sun, Juventus are not the only Italian club interested in securing Benitez's services.

Inter Milan have also been in touch with his agent to find out whether he will be available this summer.

The Serie A champions are currently managed by Jose Mourinho, who has guided them to the Champions League final.

They are keen to retain Mourinho's services, but are aware that the ex-Chelsea boss is a target for Real Madrid and fear they cannot compete with the salary package and transfer war chest the Spanish club can offer.

Should Mourinho choose Real Madrid, it appears Benitez will be high on the list of potential successors at the San Siro.

Meanwhile, Juventus are also reported to be considering abandoning their bid for Benitez and making a move for Fulham boss Roy Hodgson instead.

Hodgson is well known in Italy, having previously managed both Inter Milan and Udinese.

Barcelona Presidential Candidate Sandro Rosell Working On Deal For Fernando Torres

Barcelona president-elect Sandro Rosell has reportedly contacted Fernando Torres' representatives to enquire about the possibility of taking the Liverpool striker to the Camp Nou in the future.

The Daily Mail reports that Rosell, who is one of the leading candidates to replace Joan Laporta as Barca president this summer, has enquired about the chances of Torres being keen on a move to the Catalans and supposedly received a favourable response.

Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be in the race for Torres' signature as reports continue to link the Spain international with an Anfield exit.

Various rumours have suggested that Torres is looking for a way out of the club after a disappointing season and is seemingly unwilling to commit his future to the Reds with so much uncertainty surrounding boss Rafael Benitez and whether he will remain as manager next term.

The report goes on to suggest that the deal could hinge on Barca landing Valencia's David Villa, with Laporta supposedly hoping to seal a deal for the Los Che striker before the World Cup.

With the La Liga giants likely to be required to part with at least £35 million to acquire the services of Spain star Villa, the necessary funds to secure the signing of Torres would seemingly be unavailable if a deal was to be struck.

Premier League Chief Backs Liverpool's Spirit of Shankly Campaign

Liverpool fans group Spirit of Shankly claim the Premier League has given its blessing to Liverpool fans to continue their campaign against the club’s owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Members of SOS, the Liverpool supporters union, met with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore at the league’s Gloucester Place headquarters in London yesterday to air their concerns about the way in which the club is being run.

And while the Premier League reportedly backed the ongoing protests, they claim the debts amassed by Hicks and Gillett are currently sustainable.

Liverpool is currently £237million in the red. Concerns grew stronger recently with the revelation the Anfield club registered record annual losses of £55m for the year ending July 2009 and is paying £110,000 a day in interest payments.

SOS spokesman, Jay McKenna, said: “Richard Scudamore suggested we keep on campaigning. He understood the fans are unhappy and want some answers. That was a positive to come from the meeting.”

The four-man delegation from the SOS executive committee met with Scudamore and the Premier League’s head of communications, Dan Johnson, and head of supporter relations, Cathy Long.

Although the Premier League admitted there is little they can do at present to help worried fans, Scudamore revealed steps have been taken to encourage responsible ownership of clubs in the future.

Added McKenna: “They were quite receptive to our concerns but it was clear that, as things stand, the Premier League’s powers are limited.

“The fit and proper persons test they apply to prospective owners isn’t subjective. What Tom Hicks and George Gillett are like as people doesn’t come into it.

“But they told us they have looked into some of the issues affecting, not only Liverpool, but other clubs in the league. They have come up with proposals to change the fit and proper persons test, which are to be heard at the league’s summer AGM.

“We told them we see the level of debt at the club as unsustainable. The Premier League response was that the future of the club is currently safe and they’re satisfied that Liverpool can fulfil its obligations to the league.

“That’s based on the current value of the club and the fact that, although we’re losing money, we are sustainable by the value of our assets such as players who can be sold down the line. This idea of sustainability it somewhat different from ours.”

Hicks and Gillett officially put Liverpool up for sale last month with British Airways chairman Martin Broughton being drafted in to help speed up the process.

While SOS are committed to the removal of the Americans they also requested guarantees from the Premier League that a similar situation will not be allowed to occur with new owners or investors.

“We want to make sure this situation wouldn’t happen again,” explained McKenna. “The Premier League have tried to give us assurances. But at the moment club chairmen have to agree to the changes the league would like to implement.

“It’s dependent on those who own football clubs to agree to the changes or not.

“Our plans now are to keep up the pressure on Hicks and Gillett to make sure we are listened to. We also want to make sure the Premier League take action to prevent this happening again.”

John Aldridge: I Fear Fernando Torres Will Be Sold

There is a sense of relief that the season is over but also a fear for the future.

It all got a bit monotonous towards the end. By our standards, it was horrendous.

Throughout it all it’s been quite apparent which players care and those who don’t.

Now is the time to get rid of any deadwood and bring in some of the young lads who have been brought up in the traditions of the club.

I reckon we could raise about £30million by selling off those who I would deem surplus to requirements.

We should use that money to bring in a couple of quality players and combine them with the rest of the squad and the likes of Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly and Stephen Darby; good, young players who care.

It’s not like there will be loads of transfer cash at the manager’s disposal – whoever that is.

Rafa Benitez’s situation is still up in the air. Either way it needs to be sorted sooner rather than later so we can move on and plan for next season.

My biggest concern, though, is that Fernando Torres will be forced out.

I’ve got a horrible feeling about it.

The Americans aren’t too concerned about matters on the pitch. So with spiralling debts and no sign of selling the club any time soon, cashing in on Torres is their quickest way of easing the burden of debt they’ve placed on the club.

You could apply the same logic to Steven Gerrard but it’s Torres who seems the most likely to be put up for auction.

Of course, the player would be totally blameless if it came to that but I fear that little, if any, of the funds raised by a sale would be used for squad strengthening.

I hope I’m wrong.

The best case scenario would be to start the new season with the squad we’ve got now – minus the deadwood and plus one or two new additions – while the banks force the owners into a quick sale.

Here’s hoping.

Liverpool FC Record Breaker Jack Robinson Provides A Ray Of Sunshine

IT has been a hugely testing season for everyone at Anfield so, with that in mind, it is vital to seize upon any possible source of good news that becomes public.

For those who ventured to Hull last Sunday, the good news arrived in the 86th minute when Jack Robinson became the youngest player in Liverpool’s history.

Given that he is only 16 – and 256 days, to be precise – it would be unfair to burden him with expectation.

All that can be said, then, is that it is hoped that appearance will be the first of many for Robinson, who understandably was beaming from ear to ear as he left the KC Stadium.

Should he remain focused, there is no reason why he can’t figure again next year.

Liverpool Need Stabilising To Avoid Repeat Of Dismal Season

The end of a truly dismal season should provide Liverpool fans with some much-needed relief.
The Anfield club’s season came to a whimpering end with a goalless draw at Hull City last Sunday. Alberto Aquilani and Nabil El Zhar came close to unlocking an unreliable Tiger’s defence but fittingly the match ended in frustration for the Reds, in line with the reoccurring theme of the whole season.

It has been a campaign riddled with disappointment.

In recent weeks Rafael Benítez has defended his side claiming the expectations were too high last August. However a second place finish in the previous season coupled with a club record Premier League points tally, the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and an in-form Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were inevitably going to sweep optimism across Merseyside.

The sale of Xabi Alonso, a host of poor acquisitions, disputes with the hierarchy at the club have all been cited as factors which have led to the culmination of an abysmal season. The hefty charge that the owners have placed hovering over the club has only added to the sense of impending doom.

This summer will be vital for Liverpool. The willingness of George Gillette and Tom Hicks to sell the club means that club will be facing a potential overhaul in the coming months. Martin Broughton, the newly installed chairman, has warned that the process of finding investors could take the best part of 12 months.

But it does provide the supporters with at least some hope that the current financial uncertainty at the club can be stabilised.

The debate is raging over whether Benítez should remain on as Liverpool manager. Juventus had entered the fray as potential suitors to the Spanish manager but in recent days the 50-year-old seems to have rebuked their advances.

“I want to stay it would never be easy to leave this club,” he said after the Hull match. “I had a meeting with the chairman the other day and it was positive, hopefully we will have another meeting this week and see if it gets done and dusted.”

So will the powers that be at Anfield be willing to delve into the already-stretched coffers and provide Benítez with funds for much needed investment in playing staff? The former Valencia manager has been widely criticised for his signings during his five year tenure.

For every Pepe Reina, Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, there have been three or four hapless flops. Names like Josemi, Jan Kromkamp and Andrea Dossena make the illustrious list. The futures of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are far from secured with the departure of Liverpool’s prized jewels a real possibility.

According to The Guardian, the financial situation is perilous at Anfield and the Premier League has sought assurances that Liverpool will be able to fulfil their fixtures next season and not go bust. Recent figures suggest the five-time European champions are £350 million in debt.

Clearly then a new investor in urgently needed to steady the club. Liverpool must be stabilised over the summer in order to avoid another dysfunctional season.

Burglars Told Steven Gerrard's Wife They Would Take Her Kids'

The wife of the footballer Steven Gerrard was told by burglars they would ''take her kids'' in a terrifying raid on their home, a court heard.

Alex Curran confronted the masked gang, who demanded she hand over jewellery and the contents of a safe, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

Details of the ordeal emerged after Martin Wilson, 22, changed his plea and admitted the burglary following legal arguments.

Graham Pickavance, for the prosecution, told the court the robbery took place in December 2007 as the Reds captain led his team to victory in a Champions League game against Marseille.

Ms Curran, 27, had remained at the home in Formby, Merseyside, with their two children, Lilly-Ella and Lexie, now aged six and four, and their nanny Lyndsey Johnston.

Mr Pickavance described the mansion as secured by high walls, a fence and electronically-controlled gates.

He said the two women and the children were in their bedrooms when, at about 9.30pm, a loud smash was heard from downstairs.

He said: ''Alexandra Curran left her bedroom and met Lyndsey Johnston at the top of the stairs.

''Miss Johnston said she thought somebody had got into the house and as they looked they saw a group of men walking into the hallway.''

The barrister said Miss Curran shouted to the men ''leave now''.

But the thieves raced up the stairs and one of them demanded ''Where's the ------- safe?'' and ''Where's the ------- jewellery?''.

Ms Curran told the men there was no safe and jewellery was not kept at the house.

One of the gang then directed another to ''get the blade out of the car'', before telling Ms Curran: ''If you don't tell us where the safe is, we'll take the kids.''

Mr. Pickavance said Miss Curran told the men the safe was in a cupboard downstairs so they then "dragged" her with them to look.

They also forced her to hand over the silver Rolex watch she was wearing.

He added: "The men attempted to take the safe but they could not move it very far because it was too heavy. So they began to ransack the room."

He said Miss Johnston picked up a telephone but was caught before she was able to get through to the emergency services.

She told the raiders she had made contact with the police so they demanded access to the CCTV system at the house.

Miss Curran, the court heard, told them she did not know how to access the system.

The gang then ran out of the house through French windows to the patio which had been smashed when they gained entry.

Police caught up with Wilson by analysing the use of his mobile phone, the court heard.

The defendant is serving six years and eight months in jail after admitting conspiracy to burgle at Liverpool Crown Court last June.

A mobile phone he used during one of those robberies, in which he and five others targeted the homes of wealthy Merseyside families, was also used close to the Gerrard home on the night it was raided, technical evidence showed.

Are ‘Senior Sources’ Undermining Rafael Benitez At Anfield?

Rafa Benitez often apologises for a faltering command of the English language. Utterly unnecessarily. Because his use of rhetorical irony in a cutting post-match press conference at Hull City last Sunday was almost Shakespearean.

Six times the Reds boss used the phrase ‘senior sources’.

That’s one more than Mark Antony used in turning a Roman crowd against the noble Brutus – his buzz phrase was “an honourable man” – and it was enough to give Reds fans even more cause for concern.

Despite dispensing with one chief executive he couldn’t work with, Rafa still appears unable to form an open, trusting relationship with the Reds board.

That was painfully transparent at the KC Stadium last Sunday.

“If I stay, I am not thinking about selling Gerrard and Torres – just in case ‘senior sources’ say different things,” he muttered.

He went on: “It depends. ‘Senior sources’ maybe will say different, but it has been the same in the history of football.”

And there was more.

Six separate references to ‘senior sources’ in fact, all of them heavily ironic.

The inference is clear. The Liverpool manager thinks ‘senior sources’ at Liverpool are briefing the media against him.

So is Rafa paranoid?

Does he see shadows on grassy knolls?

Or are there ‘senior sources’ out to get him?

Of course Rafa himself could be the problem.

His track record for falling out with senior executives at football clubs is impressive.

Jesus Pitarch at Valencia, Rick Parry at Liverpool, George Gillett (although few would criticise him for picking that particular fight), and now un-named ‘senior sources.’

Maybe he’s a manager who thrives on creative tension.

Or perhaps he is being undermined.

As Rafa might say, let’s examine the ‘facts’.

A story was ‘broken’ by the BBC on Tuesday May 4.

“Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has cancelled two scheduled face-to-face meetings with the club’s new chairman, Martin Broughton,” ran the report.

It inferred that Benitez was stalling for time while Juventus courted him.

It certainly painted the Reds boss in a poor light.

If Benitez was irritated so were we, because it appeared we’d ‘missed’ a juicy tale. Except it seems there was no ‘story’ to miss.

A first meeting, scheduled for April 20, was called off because an unexpected cloud of volcanic ash spreading across Europe meant that Rafa Benitez had to spend 48 hours on a train with his players rather than two hours on a plane.

No problem. No-one could have foreseen Mount Eyjafjallajökull erupting.

The next meeting was scheduled for 24 hours before the visit of Chelsea – until Martin Broughton decided he wouldn’t be coming back to Merseyside for the Chelsea game because of his already publicised footballing allegiances.

So no opportunity to squeeze a meeting in there then.

Still no major problem, until the story on the BBC website, which spread in this internet age like a particularly vicious virus.

Forgive me if I’m seeing shadows on grassy knolls now, but it looks like someone was briefing the Beeb against the Liverpool manager.

And further scrutiny of the article shows it was someone inside the Anfield boardroom.

“There is some surprise inside the Anfield boardroom at the timing of Benitez’s call on Tuesday for an urgent meeting with Broughton to discuss the future,” added the BBC story.

There have been other ‘leaks.’

“It is known around Anfield that Christian Purslow has talked to Benítez about his style of management, notably his cold detachment from the players,” wrote the Daily Telegraph last November, adding: “Liverpool can afford to sack Benítez. Compensation would be less than £5 million under the ‘mitigating the loss’ principle if he found employment.”

It doesn’t take a huge leap to work out where the Telegraph might have got their compensation figure from.

That story and the BBC ‘revelation’ may not be linked. Liverpool board members have always spoken to the media – and even after foul-mouthed Tom junior’s resignation there are still several board members remaining.

But board members who brief against a manager should beware.

Remember Noel White?

He spent 21 years at Anfield before falling on his sword for criticising Benitez in a newspaper article.

At the time Benitez said: “The important thing is the club, and such things as this do not normally happen here. This is a big club and there is a way of doing things here.”

That was four years ago. Has that way of doing things gone for good?

It was Bill Shankly who effectively labelled Anfield directors as simply men who sign the cheques.

Rightly or wrongly, that’s an image which has persisted.

Even those Reds fans who want Rafa Benitez out have a huge well of emotion for the man, largely inspired by one emotional night in Istanbul.

Any ‘senior sources’ inside Anfield who try to take him on will do so at their peril.

Javier Mascherano's Liverpool Contract Talks Delayed Until After 2010 World Cup

Javier Mascherano's contract negotiations with Liverpool have been delayed until after he returns from the World Cup, according to a report from Press Association.

The Argentinian midfielder has been in talks with the club for three months over a new deal, with progress believed to have been encouraging. But with the club having released players for the summer and Mascherano scheduled to join the Albicelestes' World Cup preparations, the club have been forced to suspend further negotiations until after he returns from the tournament in South Africa.

Last summer Mascherano was heavily linked with a move to Spanish side Barcelona, with the enforcer seemingly receptive to the rumours. But after re-affirming his commitment to the club this season Liverpool were hopeful that he would follow in the footsteps of goalkeeper Jose Reina — who signed a new six-year deal at Anfield last month — and secure his long-term future at the club. Now they are set for an anxious wait for Mascherano to return to the bargaining table ahead of next season.

The news will be another blow to manager Rafael Benitez, who is already concerned that his squad will struggle at the beginning of next season. Liverpool's seventh place finish in the Premier League means they will be entered in the third qualifying round of the Europa League next season, which kicks off at the end of July — just 18 days of the World Cup final, which might involve one or more Reds players.

"We have to prepare. We have pre-season more or less organised and we now have to analyse carefully the schedule and see if we can organise the fixtures properly," Benitez said.

"Last year we had too many players away with the Confederations Cup (also in South Africa) so the teams are suffering with these tournaments and every year it is more and more so it is not easy."

Liverpool Ready Move for £8m Bundesliga Starlet: Rafa Shows Interest In Mesut Ozil

Liverpool are hoping to make a successful move for German international starlet Mesut Ozil this summer. Rafa Benitez is a big fan of the Werder Bremen attacker and hopes that he can convince the Bundesliga club to accept an offer in the region of £8m for the 21 year old.

The former Schalke man reportedly has just one year left on his contract and may well be interested in a move to the Premier League and would no doubt be excited by interest shown in him by the Anfield outfit.

Rafa Benitez is looking for more creativity in his midfield and is apparently most interested in Ozil’s ability to play in a number of different positions. The well built Bremen man can play across the midfield as well as effectively on both wings but perhaps most interestingly can be used in the hole behind the strikers.

A number of sides are reportedly interested in Ozil with Arsenal being one side who has repeatedly linked with a move for his services and has been in sparkling form this term weighing in with nine goals and 17 assists which have helped his side to a third placed finish and a coveted Champions League spot.

Roma Like Yossi Benayoun, But He Has A Contract With Liverpool

Yossi Benayoun is likely to stay at Liverpool, despite growing interest from Roma, says agent Ronen Katzav.

Reports have linked the Israeli midfielder with an end of season move to the Scudetto hopefuls. And while the agent is aware of Roma's interest, he says a move there is not in the offing.

"We have not been contacted by Roma," Katzav told forzaromainfo.

"We know about an interest from Roma, and there has been plenty of talk about this, but we have not had any contact with the directors.

"Roma would be nice, but my client has a contract with Liverpool and he is fine in England."

Real Madrid And Inter To Battle It Out For Steven Gerrard

Real Madrid and Inter are hot on the trail of Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, according to El Mundo Deportivo.

Inter are keen to bring in the English international as Nerazzurri boss coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly been a long time admirer of the Reds star and he could be a good fit alongside the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Esteban Cambiasso.

Meanwhile, the report suggests that Real Madrid have already set aside a bid of €26 million for the 29-year-old after their disappointing Champions League campaign.

Should he join Real Madrid it would throw Kaka's future at the Santiago Bernabeu in doubt, but also give Gerrard the chance to link up with former team-mate Xabi Alonso in the centre of the pitch.

Whether the England star will indeed be leaving Anfield is another question, but several members of the press feel that it is a possibility after the team's disappointing season.

Liverpool Close On Deal To Sign Rangers Defender Danny Wilson

Liverpool are closing in on a £2.5million deal for Danny Wilson - and his Rangers defensive partner Madjid Bougherra hopes to follow him to Anfield

Wilson, 18, has only one year remaining on his contract with the Scottish Premier League champions. Rangers boss Walter Smith has admitted defeat in getting the centre-back to put pen to paper and has sanctioned his sale which will go through in June, The Liverpool Echo has reported.

Wilson has enjoyed a breakthrough season and recently claimed both the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' Association Young Player awards.

Bougherra enjoyed a spell in the Premier League with Charlton Athletic and has targeted Liverpool as the outfit he wants to return to. He is currently training with Algeria's World Cup squad in Switzerland.

His agent Farid Raayad claims Liverpool have expressed an interest in his services.

Bougherra added: “If a big team comes in and Rangers accept an offer for me that is destiny."

Dalla Valle Scoops Award

Lauri Dalla Valle's Sunderland stunner has been named as the Reserves' Goal of the Season following a fans' vote on Liverpoolfc.tv.

The Finnish starlet netted our second-string's final strike of 2009-10 with the only goal of the game against the Black Cats earlier this month.

His effort claimed 31 per cent of the vote to secure the accolade.

Dalla Valle saw off competition from Daniel Pacheco, whose perfectly executed free-kick against Burnley clinched second with 14 per cent.

The Spaniard's Manchester City volley came joint third along with Nathan Eccleston's curler against Blackburn on the opening day of the campaign. Both goals claimed 11 per cent of the vote.

‘No-one Is Bigger Than Liverpool FC' - Robbie Fowler's Message To Rafa Benitez

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has warned Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez that “no-one is bigger than the club.”

Benitez brought Fowler back to Anfield for an emotional second spell four years ago, but his own position has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks.

And Fowler, now playing for Perth Glory in Australia, said: “I was always grateful to him (Benitez) 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 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.