Aston Villa's James Milner Set To Snub Manchester Move For Liverpool

Aston Villa midfielder James Milner is ready to reject a move to either Manchester United or Manchester City, after reportedly telling a close friend he wants to join Liverpool, according to the News of The World.

Villa rejected City's advances earlier this week, after the Citizens tabled an offer of £20 million, with manager Martin O'Neill keen to hold on to the reigning PFA Young Player of the Year.

However, sources close to Milner have reportedly told the tabloid: "Being born in Leeds, there is no way James wants to play for Manchester United.

"His preferred Premier League club in Liverpool."

With manager O'Neill linked with the post at Anfield, should Rafael Benitez leave, it would be a heavy blow for Villa to lose both their coach and star player.

A source close to O'Neill is quoted as saying: "Martin doesn't want to start the summer feeling like he's pushing a rock up a mountain because the club have let Milner go too cheaply.

"This is a player Villa have turned into an England international, who has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League and who has discovered a whole new role in central midfield thanks to Martin.

"To let somebody of that quality and stature go without a fight and at a price City believe is a bargain would be counter-productive.

"Nobody at Villa wants to see Milner leave and the club will speak with him before he goes to the World Cup about a contract extension.

"But if his heart is set on leaving, then Villa must get the absolute top price for him."

With City set to renew their interest this week and make an improved bid, it remains to be seen how much longer Villa will be able to hold on to their man.

Stevie: I Pestered Jamie

Steven Gerrard admits he has pestered Jamie Carragher to come out of international retirement for the last three years.

Carragher decided to return to the England fold ahead of this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

He cited a desire to cram in as much top-level football as possible before the end of his career - and a keenness to work with manager Fabio Capello.

Now, as the squad prepares for a friendly with Mexico at Wembley on Monday, Gerrard's role in the u-turn has come to light.

"I put a lot of work in!" he said.

"I spoke to Jamie all the time, right from the time he took the decision to step down from the squad.

"I wanted Carra here because he is a top player but from a personal perspective it is nice because he is a good friend."

Rafael Benitez Defends His Liverpool Record And Expresses Renewed Desire To Stay At Club

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has defended his Anfield record and said he would like to remain at the club if possible.

His comments came in an interview with Guillem Balague in the Daily Mirror where Benitez said that heavy criticism of his Anfield record was undeserved.

Barring an impressive second-place finish last season Liverpool have yet to top the dizzy heights of 2005 when Benitez led them to victory in the Champions League and topped things off with an FA Cup win in 2006.

He said: “There is this legend that Liverpool hasn’t won many trophies, which we have failed in that aspect. Well, Chelsea and Manchester United have won 10 trophies in the six years I’ve been in Liverpool; Arsenal, Spurs and Portsmouth one.

“Liverpool? Four trophies and we have played in three finals. Liverpool have been competitive”.

Benitez revealed his desire to tough it out at Anfield and feels that his successes at the club are not reported fairly given the comparative resources he has had to spend.

“Does Liverpool have to win the league, as everybody demands, every year?” he asked.

And in an apparent sideswipe at the club hierarchy Benitez rued the limitations on managerial powers in England and the lack of transfer funds that meant he missed targets such as Gareth Barry and Dani Alves.

Benitez said: “Does the manager have absolute power in England?

“No, it depends on a budget and on the executive director that negotiates the signings of players.

“And it depends on the money you have and the intelligence with which you operate in the marketplace. Look at the wages picked up by the players on Chelsea or Manchester United’s substitutes’ bench: Obi Mikel, Owen, Kalou, Berbatov, Carrick could be on £4million a year!

“When Portsmouth offered Peter Crouch more money than we were paying him and promised him a starting place, it became very complicated for us to keep hold of him.

“Some people say I have spent £280m. But we have spent £220m on players and generated £160m in player sales. That is the equivalent of a £60m net spend over six years: in other words, £10m spent per year.”

Gerrard Shrugs Off Transfer Talk To Focus On England

Steven Gerrard has vowed that his focus will be only on England during the World Cup and not his Liverpool future.

The midfielder goes into the finals in South Africa amid speculation about his Anfield career - just as he did four years ago at Germany 2006.

"Yes I was distracted then. I was going back to my hotel room and driving myself mad," said the 29-year-old.

"This time round I won't make the same mistake. I guarantee everyone my focus is on doing well for England."

Gerrard is also aware that this summer's tournament may represent one of his last chances to win something with England, and he is determined to maximize the opportunity.

That means blocking out transfer speculation, and also forgetting the disappointment of Liverpool's seventh-placed finish in the Premier League.

Speaking from England's training camp in Austria, Gerrard said: "Liverpool's season wasn't good enough. As a squad and a team we underachieved and we are not happy about it.

"But now I am here with England and the training has started I think it is important to park club issues and focus on the job in hand for England.

"If people want to speculate about my future, that's up to them. I cannot control that; I can only control what I am thinking myself.

"What is important to me now is the World Cup and focusing only on the World Cup.

"I have to realize that I am coming up to 30 years of age and these big tournaments only come round once every four years so maybe this is going to be my last one.

"I have to be mindful of that, make the most of it and do well."

And Gerrard indicated that England's preparations in Austria are going according to plan.

"I am fine and training with no problems. I am excited and really looking forward to the World Cup and hopefully I can remain fit and push on and do well.

"I am not really noticing much difference with the altitude. Training has been very intense, very sharp. The boys are excited and spirits are high and we need to keep that going."

As for their chances of winning the World Cup, Gerrard believes England coach Fabio Capello is creating the right environment for success.

"Fabio has been here for a couple of years so we have had time to get used to his ideas and know what he wants," added Gerrard.

"There is still a bit more time to prepare and make sure we are all ready for the tournament.

"The manager has a winning mentality and slowly he has instilled that into the players.

"During qualifying we played well, but we still have to improve a bit if we are to be successful at the World Cup.

"But things are going well and moving along really, really well."

England returns from Austria for a friendly against Mexico at Wembley on Monday.

They will then head back to their training base at Irdning two days later before playing their final pre-World Cup friendly against Japan in nearby Graz on 30 May.

England open their World Cup campaign on 12 June against USA.

Milan Jovanovic Happy To Ignore European Elite For Life At Liverpool

Milan Jovanovic insists he has no reservations about turning down some of Europe's biggest clubs to join Liverpool on a Bosman free transfer, despite the doubts surrounding the futures of manager Rafael Benítez and several key players.

The Serbia international, now with Standard Liege, who has signed a pre-contract at Anfield and will be confirmed as a Liverpool player on June 1, said: "They might have had a poor season, but Liverpool is still Liverpool.

"I really see this as the place where I want to be. The thought of playing at Anfield is an incredible inspiration for me."

Jovanovic will join Jonjo Shelvey, a £1.75 million capture from Charlton, and Rangers defender Danny Wilson, who is expected to complete his £2 million move in the coming days, as Benítez begins to rebuild his squad.

Unity Key For Liverpool FC To Rise Again

The sentences were short but the sentiment was clear: as Jamie Carragher spoke about his return to England duty, talk began to move forward.

“I can’t wait to get back to Liverpool, get back together again and try to put it right,” he said.

“I want the people who want to be there to come back. If they don’t, no problem. Nobody is bigger than Liverpool Football Club.”

And so the fightback begins. Another week has passed with speculation raging about the futures of Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres and, to a certain extent, Steven Gerrard, the three men whose sales could raise an enormous windfall for the Reds.

Throw in a story which saw Pepe Reina linked with Arsenal and Albert Riera’s latest outburst and it’s clear to see why the perception that Liverpool are vulnerable is growing and why some players might be tempted to consider their options.

First of all, it must be stressed the story regarding Reina is absurd; there is no way he would consider jumping ship just weeks after he has committed his future to Anfield for the next six years.

Another tale that, to put it mildly, raised eyebrows was the suggestion Manchester City were ready to offer Liverpool £40m plus Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland for Torres and Gerrard.

That sounds an attractive business deal, doesn’t it? One player whose mood changes like the wind, another who was told by his manager to “get his head right” and an amount of cash that can best be described as pocket change for the oil-rich club for Liverpool’s two finest players, the side with whom they will be competing for a Champions League spot next year.

It simply doesn’t add up but, sadly, such stories will become commonplace this summer, due to the state of flux in which Liverpool find themselves – vultures are circling and the club’s critics are expecting the star names to begin an exodus to more stable destinations.

Perhaps the most significant quotes were attributed to Mascherano, who, of course, was a target for Barcelona 12 months ago; read between the lines of the words that follow and you can see, possibly, he is hankering for a return to a Spanish speaking culture.

“I have no problem living in Liverpool,” he said. “But my wife and daughters deserve to enjoy each 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.”

In this city, though, many people’s lives revolve around Liverpool Football Club; their moods are affected by results each weekend and many have found the past 12 months almost intolerable.

These supporters deserve some respite from the misery Tom Hicks and George Gillett have induced, they deserve to see a team proud to play in Red and committed.

Carragher, not for the first time, is right; if there are people who do not want to be on the journey next season, wish them well, thank them for their service – unless they go by the name of Riera – then move on.

The next 12 months could easily be as hard as the season just gone and Liverpool’s rivals for a top four place are all going to strengthen their squads before the big kick-off on August 13.

For Liverpool to emerge from the doldrums, every single player, all the management and coaching staff, as well as the officials at the top are going to have to pull in the same direction – in other words, there is no room for selfishness, sulking or personal agendas.

Should certain individuals decide Liverpool is no longer for them, or they get a better offer from elsewhere, what more can be done?

Of course, it would be painful to see any of those who are idolised by the Kop playing in different colours next year but it can’t prove to be distractive: for Liverpool to have a chance of upholding their tradition, there must be a return to old-fashioned values of spirit and togetherness.

Those who no longer have the appetite for a fight know precisely where the door is.

Ryan Babel Injury Scare Threatens World Cup For Liverpoool FC’s Holland Star

Ryan Babel will discover today whether his World Cup dreams have been shattered at the last moment.

The Liverpool forward was taken to hospital in Austria last night to undergo a scan on his hamstring he damaged yesterday in Holland’s pre-World Cup training camp.

Babel was inconsolable as he was helped into a people carrier by his close friend, Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, and it is understood the Dutch fear the injury is bad.

If Babel – who featured in all bar two of Liverpool’s final 23 games – has torn his hamstring, he could be sidelined for anything between six and eight weeks and that would rule him out of the reckoning for Holland’s final 23-man squad.

Results of the scans will not be known until some point today but, even if it proves to be a minor strain, Babel will already face a race to be fit for Holland’s opening Group E game against Denmark in Johannesburg on June 14.

Should Babel be denied the opportunity to go to the World Cup, it would be the second time injury has cost him the chance to play in a major international tournament.

Back in 2008, the 23-year-old was poised to go to Austria and Switzerland for the European Championships but suffered an ankle problem in the build-up and was forced to stay at home.

While Babel is keeping his fingers crossed that he receives good news, one man who would love to have the opportunity to be involved in a World Cup is Yossi Benayoun.

Despite being capped 78 times by Israel, he has never come close to featuring in a major tournament and Benayoun, who is tipping England to go close in South Africa, fears his dream may never come true.

“I’m not saying this only because I am in England, but I do believe England is the favourites,” he said. “They have very good players and I think Capello has got them playing very well.

“I hope I get to play in a major tournament. I just hope I still have time because I will be 34 (by the time of the next World Cup). We were very disappointed this time because we felt the group gave us a good chance to qualify but we didn’t play well enough. I will be 32 at the next European Championships, so hopefully I will be able to help Israel qualify for those and then the 2014 World Cup.”

Reds Want City Defender

Rafa Benitez is looking to make a summer move for Manchester City defender Micah Richards.

The Liverpool boss is hoping to bring in the 21-year-old by offering him the carrot of regular first-team football and a way back into the England set up.

The Anfield manager is hoping to get cash injection this summer to help bring in new additions but given the precarious financial state the Merseyside club finds itself in Rafa may have to sell before he can buy.

Micah Richards has found his first-team chances limited of late and as a result has fallen down Fabio Capello's pecking order.

Even though Liverpool did not manage to secure a Champions League spot, the chance of a move to Anfield and the chance to re-ignite his career may tempt Richards, who can usefully play effectively both at right-back and in the centre of defence.

For that reason Benitez considers him one of his top summer targets.

LFC To Bring Adriano Back To Europe?

Reports coming out of Italy say that Liverpool have joined Arsenal and Roma in trying to bring former Inter striker Adriano back to Europe.

The Brazilian will be available on a free transfer, although his wages are expected to be very significant.

There also remain doubts over his state of mind, which saw him leave Inter for a return to first club Flamengo in 2009.

Sampdoria Defender Reto Ziegler Tipped For Surprise Premier League Return With Liverpool If They Can Meet £8.5m Asking Price

Reto Ziegler could be poised for a surprise Premier League return with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez seeing the Sampdoria man as a solution to his problems at left-back.

Benitez reportedly covets the former Tottenham Hotspur player’s versatility since Ziegler is also an effective attacker who can be deployed as a left winger.

Reports of the move first surfaced in the Italian press, but the Daily Mail adds that Benitez faces competition from a several European clubs and a price tag of £8.5 million could put Liverpool out of the running.

New Juventus boss Luigi Del Neri, who has just left Sampdoria, is apparently keen to take Ziegler with him to Turin. Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina are also said to have had talks with the player's agent.

Since leaving Tottenham Hotspur three years ago, 24-year-old Ziegler has grown in stature at Sampdoria after unremarkable loan stints at Hamburg SV and Wigan Athletic.

The former Grasshoppers Zurich player initially impressed at White Hart Lane under Jacques Santini and Martin Jol in his first season, walking away with a young player of the year award at only 18.

Ziegler moved to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2005 and featured in 11 league and three UEFA Cup games but was criticised by manager Thomas Doll for his poor attitude.

A further loan move to Wigan during the 2005-2006 season saw five Premier League starts and some solid yet unspectacular performances.

Ziegler returned to Spurs for the 2006-2007 season but only featured in four games and first joined Sampdoria on loan in January 2007.

He cemented a first-team place during the 2009-10 season and is now first-choice left back at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Bayern Munich Beat Reserves

A late goal condemned Liverpool Reserves to an undeserved 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich in the RUHR.2010 Cup in Germany on Friday night.

The inexperienced Reds dominated their illustrious opponents but fell to a solitary goal seven minutes from time.

A win against AC Milan on Saturday would still see them progress from the group - as could a draw if other results are favourable.

Gaffer John McMahon said: "We dominated Bayern. I'd say we had six really good chances to their two, but we were beaten by a sucker punch near the end.

"The positives are that we're one of the youngest teams here, but looking around I'd say we are one of the best.

"It's also great experience for this young team because they are playing against different types of football teams and different cultures."

The Reserves won their first game of the U19 tournament against Schalke 1-0 thanks to a Daniel Ayala header.

World Cup Makes Signing Players Difficult, Says Liverpool Boss Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez says the upcoming World Cup finals is hampering his attempts to land his summer transfer targets.

Despite ongoing speculation linking him with a move to Italy, the Liverpool boss has insisted his future is at Anfield and is pressing on with plans to strengthen his squad.

Benitez has already snapped up teenage midfielder Jonjo Shelvey from Charlton for £1.7million and is expected to complete a £2.5m deal for Rangers defender Danny Wilson when the transfer window opens next month.

However, with most top stars currently away on international duty in the build up to next month’s World Cup in South Africa, the Spaniard insists it’s a difficult time to do business.

“We are working on our signings for the next transfer window,” Benitez said.

“But now we have the added difficulty that the World Cup always brings.

“I have my ideas and I know what I want, but we just have to wait.”

Benitez’s coffers have been boosted by the sale of Mikel San Jose to Athletic Bilbao for £2.6m.

The 20-year-old defender spent this season on loan at the Spanish club. San Jose originally arrived at Anfield from Bilbao in 2007.

He was a regular in the reserves but never made a competitive first team appearance.

His new contract will tie him to the Basque club until 2015 and has a buy-out clause of 30million euros.

Benitez was in Spain yesterday to receive the Agustin de Betancourt medal from the University of Madrid. The award marked his contribution to the sport since he obtained a degree in physical education in his home city in 1982.

Benitez insisted his days as a student helped prepare him for life in management.

And he believes the intense pressure he’s under at Anfield won’t ease until he ends the Reds’ 20-year wait for the league title.

He said: “Back then I learned methodology, the habit of studying, analysing and finding solutions and the knowledge to tackle problems.

“As a manager you know you have responsibilities. There are demands on you and you have to get used to it. Every week you have to pass a test.

“As a manager you have to try to be respectful, correct, sometimes positive, other times not so much.

“A coach has to try to protect his players so that they can perform. When things go badly, it is the manager’s responsibility. That is normal. It is impossible to ignore the pressure until you have won the title.”

Sammy Lee Praying For No Injuries To Liverpool Players At The World Cup

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee will be paying particularly close attention to next month’s World Cup – primarily because he wants to keep a check on the fitness of the club’s players.

Top of the list will be striker Fernando Torres, who has had two knee operations in three months and missed the Reds’ final seven matches of the season as he recovered.

The 26-year-old is likely to spearhead Spain’s attack with David Villa and Lee will be watching to see how well he has recovered.

Other key players likely to be at the World Cup who have struggled with injuries this season include England’s Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson, Argentina’s Maxi Rodriguez and Denmark’s Daniel Agger.

“I will be looking at it with great interest,” said Lee.

“We have a number of our boys away with their countries and that shows the strength in depth we have got at this football club.

“Our main concern when our players go away is that they remain fit and don’t pick up any injuries, because that has happened to us over the course of this season and the last one.

So although we are happy for them to go to the World Cup, we will be looking at them with great interest to see if they all stay fit and then come back to us ready and refreshed for pre-season.

“It’s a very proud moment for them to play for their country in the World Cup but it’s also proud for them to play for Liverpool Football Club and that is paramount for us.”

Youngster Set For Reds Move

Bradford City youngster Callum Pilkington is poised to complete a switch to Premier League side Liverpool.

The 14-year-old striker is reportedly set to move to Anfield for an undisclosed fee with add-ons set to follow.

Pilkington will become the latest Bantams youngster to move on to a top-flight club and the second in recent seasons to go to Liverpool.

Andre Wisdom swapped Valley Parade for the Reds two years ago, while Fabian Delph, Tom Cleverly, Ben Gordon and Danny Ward have all moved up.

Bradford are set for another season in League Two next term as they look to get out of the fourth tier.

Rafa Targets West Ham Pair

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hoping to land West Ham pair Valon Behrami and Matthew Upson.

The Anfield manager has previously been linked with both Upton Park players but will this summer push on with attempts to bring in new talents to the club by offering squad players in part exchange in order to save spending cash.

Right-sided Swiss international Valon Behrami will be starring in next month's World Cup and could well be one player on his way to an Upton Park exit. Co-owner David Sullivan has stated that practically his entire team is available at the right price and Benitez is an admirer of the former Lazio man.

Benitez is also a fan of England international centre-back Matthew Upson and is reportedly hoping to bring in a new defender to help shore up the Liverpool back line that was especially leaky during the first half of this season.

Italian Media: Juve To Make Improved Bid For Midfielder

According to reports in Italy, Juventus will make another approach to sign Liverpool FC midfielder Alberto Aquilani having initially been rebuffed in their efforts by a reluctant Rafa Benitez. Yesterday reports from Italy suggested Juve’s new coach Luigi De Nieri had placed Arsenal FC winger Theo Walcott at the top of his shortlist but today it appears they have earmarked another Premier League player.

Corriere dello Sport claim Juventus’ initial bid for the Liverpool FC midfielder was rejected, but such is their eagerness to sign the player who has underwhelmed at Anfield this season, they will return with a new bid to entice Benitez into offloading the former Roma star. De Nieri’s appointment has seen the club linked with a host of top players around the continent, most notably Arsenal FC’s Theo Walcott and Palermo’s Simon Kjaer, but Aquilani is believed to feature prominently in the club’s plans for the future.

The Italian newspaper claims Liverpool FC rejected an £11 million offer from Juventus, with the Premier League side eager to recoup as much of the £20 million they paid Roma in the summer. Despite Rafa Benitez insisting the player is not for sale, the report suggests he would part with the 25-year-old for £15 million. Whereas the Anfield supremo could be convinced into selling the player, Juventus’ alleged interest in the aforementioned Arsenal FC winger is likely to be given short shrift.

Liverpool Fear That Strained Relationship With Manager Rafael Benitez Could See Steven Gerrard Leave The Club This Summer

Liverpool are worried that Steven Gerrard could leave this summer due to growing frustration with manager Rafael Benitez.

The England international has made over 400 appearances for the Reds in over 11 years with the club, but the midfielder is upset after a disappointing season saw Liverpool finish seventh in the Premier League and fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The executives at Liverpool are fearful that their captain’s relationship with Benitez has been strained to the point enough that the Englishman could request a transfer in the summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Without funds to spend of new players the Reds will have a difficult time competing with England’s elite clubs for top talent in the transfer market.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal appear to be the three top teams in the Premier League, and Liverpool’s position in the discussion of the best clubs in English football could be threatened by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

Anfield stars like Gerrard and Fernando Torres have already expressed the need for Liverpool to acquire new stars to help the club improve, and should the Reds fail to spend it could mean their best players will abandon the team in order to win trophies.

Real Madrid and City have already expressed their interest in big money moves for Gerrard this summer and if the Spanish giants hire Jose Mourinho then the former Chelsea manager could convince the Engishman to join him at the Bernabeu next season.

Liverpool Set To Sign Reality TV Show Winner

Liverpool's first signing of the close season could be a Vietnamese reality TV show winner.

The winner of talent show Vietnam Soccer Prince will be awarded a 12-month contract at Anfield following next week's final.

The show is made by the production company that makes Britain's Got Talent - and features ex-Wycombe and Northampton midfielder Steve Brown as the program's Simon Cowell.

Brown has put the kids through their paces on the training pitch to test skills such as speed, co-ordination, teamwork and decision making, before telling unlucky contestants every week: "It's a no."

He said: "I am the show's Simon Cowell - I've been the one to tell the kids they weren't good enough.

"But he seems a lot tougher than me. Telling the kids they weren't good enough was a killer. I'd have to lock myself in a room for a couple of hours after filming, it really affected me.

"The series has lasted 10 weeks and at the beginning it was easy to let some of them go. But then when you get seven or eight weeks into it, you get attached to them."

Liverpool's Under-16 side has already travelled to Vietnam to play against some of the prospects, aged between 16 and 19.

A total of 2000 boys were whittled down to 20 to take part in the 10-week series. And now six remain in the battle for top honours, with the final due to air Saturday week.

The runner-up will get a one-year deal at Sheffield United.

Brown, who was youth coach at QPR until last year, added: "Four or five of them stood out from the start. Some of the kids over there have got what it takes.

"I look at them and think 'I have no doubt you will be able to handle the Liverpool academy'.

"The aim is not just to send someone there for 12 months; I'd like to see whoever wins to do enough to stay in the academy system at Liverpool."

Ayala Seals Schalke Win

A header from Daniel Ayala was enough to get Liverpool Reserves off to a winning start in the RUHR.2010 Cup in Germany on Thursday night.

The defender nodded home a Gerardo Bruna free-kick on seven minutes to wrap up a 1-0 win over Schalke.

Several Academy youngsters including 17-year-old John Flanagan took part in the game, which was played out in two 30 minute periods.

Nicola Saric was forced off with a groin injury after 25 minutes, ruling him out of Friday night's clash with Bayern Munich. Alex Kacaniklic is expected to come in.

Manager John McMahon said: "It's a good start because we're one of the youngest teams here. A lot of the other teams are older.

"We'll have to make a couple of changes tonight, especially because of the heat out here."

The tournament is based in Dortmund.

Liverpool FC Have Big Plans In South Africa

Liverpool FC, the English soccer club, sent a delegation to South Africa on Thursday led by former Liverpool and England star Phil Neal.

Neal, along with Liverpool coaches Steven Hollins and Eddie Sullivan, will visit the Phokeng Health Centre in an attempt to raise awareness of health issues amongst local children, as well as hold a coaching session at the Bafokeng Sports Campus - the team base for the England World Cup squad, which is expected to include the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

"We are honoured that this esteemed delegation from Liverpool has taken the time to come to the North West Province and share their experience with us," said George Khunou, the managing director of Royal Bafokeng Sports, to Kickoff.com.

"Liverpool represents excellence in everything it does and has a proud tradition in both football and serving the local community that supports it."

Carragher - Liverpool Will Bounce Back

Jamie Carragher is bracing himself for a summer of discontent at Liverpool.

The long-serving Reds defender is acutely aware that, after recording a disappointing seventh-placed finish under Rafael Benitez this season, the critics who love nothing better than taking a bite out of Liverpool are starting to bear their teeth.

"I know what it is like after a poor season. There is a lot of negativity," he said. "We have had it all season and I am sure we will have it again throughout the summer. Obviously I want to enjoy the World Cup and do well. But I can't wait to get back to Liverpool and try to put it right."

The depths to which Liverpool have startlingly plummeted are shown up starkly in the knowledge that their return to action will come during July for the third qualifying round of the Europa League, exactly the same stage as Fulham entered this term.

Benitez might have committed himself to the club after strong links with Juventus, but the futures of star men Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres continue to be discussed, along with combative midfielder Javier Mascherano.

With uncertainty over the club's ownership position continuing to linger, Reds fans could be forgiven for being severely worried about the months ahead.

However, Carragher insists they have no need.

"I want the people to come back who want to be there. If anyone doesn't want to be here, no problem. No-one is bigger than Liverpool Football Club," he said.

"People always talk about players leaving and saying 'this is the end of Liverpool'. No chance.

Rafael Benitez Still Uncertain How Much Cash Liverpool Can Spend This Summer

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez does not know yet whether he will have money to spend in the transfer market this summer after meetings with new Reds chairman Martin Broughton.

Broughton, a man brought in to oversee the sale of the club, has apparently informed Benitez that his kitty is dependent on how many players the Reds can sell this summer.

"I have had a couple of meetings with the new chairman to clarify the situation," the Spaniard told reporters in Madrid.

"We need to know how much money we have, and that also depends on (player) sales."

Meanwhile, following another attack on his management style from Reds outcast Albert Riera, Benitez insisted that his communication with his players worked well and he was not aloof as Riera had claimed.

"It is a lie that I don’t talk to the players," he asserted.

"He [Riera] made a mistake in an interview and I have witnesses and video of something that I will not count."

Carragher's Warning: Pack Your Bags If Not Committed To Liverpool

Jamie Carragher has told any players who wish to leave Liverpool that they should go if they are not committed to the club's future, a message which suggests he does not think the Reds will be served by Fernando Torres or Javier Mascherano staying under sufferance next season.

As Carragher's manager, Rafael Benitez, provided the first firm indication yesterday that he is preparing to take the biggest gamble of his 24-year managerial career by staying in place for the challenging battle ahead at Anfield, the defender made it clear he expects commitment from all quarters as Liverpool strive to "get back", as he put it.

Torres is a £60m player whom Roberto Mancini has made it clear he would dearly love to sign for Manchester City but he is not bigger than his current club, Carragher insisted. "The people who want to be there will come back," the 32-year-old said. "If people don’t then no problem. There will always be a Liverpool Football Club. People always talk about players leaving, about 'is this the end of Liverpool?' No chance. Better players than the ones we have now have left and we have replaced them. Anyone who doesn't want to be there, no problem, but we'll start next season with the players who want to do well."

Quite what Carragher has made of Benitez's representatives' choreographed dalliance with Juventus over the past few months does not need much imagination, but Torres has also hinted at dissatisfaction – publicly declaring that Liverpool require "four or five" new players" this summer to compete at the top of the Premier League – and Mascherano painted a graphic picture of his family's unhappy life in Liverpool last weekend. Liverpool can take some comfort from Barcelona concluding the £30m purchase of David Villa yesterday, which seems to rules out one possible destination for Torres, while some sources at Chelsea have suggested the club's interest in Torres is less substantial than has been reported. Torres will look painfully of out place in July's Europa League qualifying round, but Steven Gerrard's appetite for more struggles is also questionable and Yossi Benayoun has been equivocal about his whereabouts beyond this summer.

But Carragher, a part of whose heart was with his beloved club side even as he discussed the recall to the England set-up after a three-year absence, said he is expecting a summer of "negativity" where Liverpool are concerned and wants to put it behind him to get on with the next campaign. "As soon as [Liverpool's last game of the season] at Hull finished I wished the start of next season was the next day," Carragher said. "The best thing is to forget it and get on with it. I know what it's like on the back of a poor season. There's a lot of negativity all summer. We've had it all season and I'm sure we will again through the summer.

"During the World Cup I want to enjoy [international football] and do well but I also want to go back to Liverpool and do well there and get the club back where it wants to be. I just want us to get back. People will come back at different stages."

Carragher expects Benitez to be in situ – "Yes, I think so. He's said nothing to me to say he won't be," the defender said – and the Spaniard bore out that opinion. "My future is Liverpool, I have four more years of my contract and I want to complete them. I hope to make this team competitive again," Benitez said.

Stuttgart Consider Bid For Want-Away Liverpool Winger Riera

Stuttgart have shortlisted Liverpool's Albert Riera as a prime transfer target, according to German newspaper Stuttgarter Nachrichten.

The 28 year-old launched a scathing attack on Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez in March, saying, "The team's playing badly and needs changes. It is a sinking ship. But in the two years I have been here Benitez has never managed a situation with a player by talking to him."

A proposed move to Russia then fell through and although Riera was frozen out by Benitez for the final two months of the season, he remains a Liverpool player for now.

However, Riera has made his intention of leaving Anfield clear, saying yesterday, "I did not play the last two months [of the season] 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."

According to Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Riera may find that Stuttgart is an option. Coached by former Spurs boss Christian Gross, they may make a move for Riera or Napoli's wide midfielder Jesus Datolo.

Riera joined Liverpool from Espanyol for £8m two years ago, but he made only fifteen appearances this season, having been a first-team regular during his first season at the club.

Agent - Aquilani Exit Unlikely

Alberto Aquilani's agent believes only a huge bid would tempt Liverpool to sell the midfielder.

Franco Zavaglia has reiterated the creative Italian has no desire to return to his native land this summer despite ongoing speculation the Reds are prepared to offload the player they paid £20million for last year.

The latest rumour has suggested Juventus are back in the hunt the 25-year-old after naming Luigi Del Neri as their new manager and the Turin giants are said to be prepared to offer Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo as part of a swap deal.

But Zavaglia has dismissed his client's latest link with a Serie A comeback and expects the former Roma man to be plying his trade at Anfield next season.

He told Tuttomercatoweb: "For now Alberto was not required and I think it is not easy to bring him to Juventus.

"In this season, when he did not have ankle problems, he has always played and never had any problems, either with Benitez or with Liverpool.

"So they won't part with Aquilani unless they receive very heavy offers".

Juventus Will Have To Increase Bid To Capture Liverpool's Aquilani

According to Italian daily Corriere dello Sport, Juventus have already made an initial bid for Alberto Aquilani, but will have to increase their offer for Liverpool to let go of the midfielder.

25 year-old Aquilani had a difficult first season at Anfield and was hampered by injury. Although he began to find his form towards the end of the season, rumours have persisted that Aquilani has not settled in England.

Juventus, who finally appointed a new coach this week, Luigi Del Nieri, have expressed an interest in Aquilani, who moved to Liverpool from Roma last summer in a 22 million Euro deal.

Corriere dello Sport claims that Juventus have already made a bid of 11 million Euros for Aquilani, but that Liverpool want to recoup a larger chunk of the fee they paid for him last summer. However, they describe the initial offer as a "starting point for discussion", indicating that Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is willing to see the winger leave Anfield.

Aquilani made 23 appearances for Liverpool in Premier League and European competition last season scoring two goals and providing four assists. If he is to be sold, Aquilani will have cost Liverpool roughly one million Euros per game.

Liverpool And Everton To Fight It Out For Ajax Ace

Everton and Liverpool are competing to sign Ajax centre-back Jan Vertonghen.

Goodison boss David Moyes is eager to land the Belgium international, who has inspired his club to the Dutch FA Cup and second place in the league.

And Toffees officials have tabled an opening £9m bid for the 23-year-old, which Ajax turned down - but they are willing to accept £11m for him.

Vertonghen is under contract until 2013. He has been recommended by his national team-mate Marouane Fellaini, Everton’s record signing.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is also a big fan of Vertonghen, who helped Ajax concede just 20 goals in 34 games.

But his city rival Moyes leads the chase for the powerful defender, who has admirably replaced Thomas Vermaelen since his fellow Belgian quit Ajax for Arsenal in a £10m deal last summer.

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.”