Liverpool In Rome To Close Alberto Aquilani Deal - Report

Liverpool are working diligently for Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, and they have taken swift action amid reports that Xabi Alonso has handed in a transfer request.

According to Il Messaggero, a Liverpool emissary arrived in the capital on Wednesday night in order to engage the Italian international.

The report suggests the five-time European champions are ready to offer the player a deal as uncertainty over Alonso's future continues to grow.

The Reds will offer Aquilani a five-year deal, and they are ready to entice Roma into selling by making a €20million offer.

Coach Luciano Spalletti did admit Aquilani could be one of the players on his way out last week, and the club appear eager to cash in.

Reports in England this morning have further fuelled the Aquilani talk. The Times claims Alonso has handed in a transfer request in order to engineer a move to Real Madrid.

It appears the Spaniard's penchant for the new Galacticos has propelled the English side into making their move for the Italian.

Alberto Aquilani Wants To Stay At Roma - Report

Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani is unlikely to leave the club and join Liverpool as far as his agent Franco Zavaglia is concerned.

Il Messaggero claimed the Reds were in Rome trying to close a deal for the Italian midfielder. It is said an offer of €20 million, plus a five-year deal for the player was being discussed.

However, Franco Zavaglia made it clear that he is unaware of any deal for his client, suggesting there would not be any move.

Tuttomercatoweb.com claim they spoke to the agent and he denied the Liverpool deal, insisting he has not heard from the Premier League side.

Furthermore, the agent made it clear that Aquilani wants to stay in Rome after signing an extension with the club earlier this summer.

Zavaglia also confirmed his client's recovery from ankle surgery is going according to plan.

Media reports have consistently linked the Italian to Liverpool as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, should he join Real Madrid.

Rafael Benitez: Liverpool Goalkeeper Pepe Reina Is Best In Premier League

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes Pepe Reina is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Reina has been the undisputed first-choice keeper at Anfield since arriving from Villarreal in 2005 and fast became a fans' favorite.

Benitez feels consistency is one of the Spaniard's key attributes, especially as he is not as frequently tested as other shot-stoppers.

"Pepe is a fantastic keeper," Benitez told LFC Magazine.

"Right now, I think he is the best keeper in the Premier League. He is very consistent.

"For a top side, it can sometimes be harder to have a keeper that can perform so consistently at the level Pepe does because he is not as exposed as some keepers.

"Sometimes he has just one or two saves to make in a game and is not always so busy. But to be as good as he has been tells us what a fantastic keeper he is."

Reina will be hopeful of adding to his clean sheet tally, which passed 100 last season, when Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on August 16.

Napoli To Close Deal For Liverpool's Andrea Dossena By Monday – Report

Napoli are hoping to close negotiations with Liverpool for Andrea Dossena by Monday, according to Tuttomercatoweb.com.

The Italians have agreed a fee with the Premier League giants, and they have been locked in talks with Dossena over his personal terms. Following a progressive start towards an agreement, the talks have started to stumble.

On Wednesday, Napoli confirmed there was some distance between what they had offered Dossena and what he is demanding.

The report suggests the stopper wants around €2 million-per-season in wages, but the Azzurri are offering €1.3m.

Despite this hurdle, president Aurelio De Laurentiis is hoping to tie up a deal by early next week. The Italian bigwig wants a complete squad so he can present it during a sponsorship event in the port city on Monday.

It is said Napoli will pay the Reds around €4.5m for the Italian.

Liverpool Legend Kenny Dalglish Lauds Summer Recruit Glen Johnson

Glen Johnson could be the player who helps push Liverpool closer to the Premier League crown, according to club legend Kenny Dalglish, who was a relentless trophy magnet as both a player and manager.

Johnson's style, a roaming right-back who can act almost as an auxiliary playmaker occupying the flank, is in keeping with the Anfield tradition, claims Dalglish, who also believes that the former Portsmouth player’s Britishness will see him adapt to life on Merseyside with ease.

"Attacking full-backs have always been important to the way Liverpool sides have played," Dalglish informed local newspaper The Liverpool Echo. "Historically, even going back to the days of [Bill] Shankly, we have always been a club who have put great faith in players in those positions having a certain comfort on the ball.

"Even in teams where there were out-and-out wingers, you could normally rely on the full-backs getting forward to join in with the attack.

"I think Glen Johnson will prove to be an excellent acquisition over the course of his Anfield career. I also think that he can improve as a defender at Liverpool. He’s proven he can attack with the best of them, and he’s secured the position of first-choice full-back at international level under Fabio Capello, so he can defend.

"But working on things with [manager Rafael Benitez] and having a player of the experience of [Jamie] Carragher playing in the same back four will benefit him in the long run.

"Ultimately, the more threat you carry going forward, the better that will be for our prospects this season.

"He’s British, so there’s no cultural barrier to him settling down at Melwood, and he’ll know most of the boys having played with them for England or against them in the league and cups.

"It’s all positive," the 58-year-old concluded.

Fans Still Hope To Buy Liverpool

ShareLiverpoolFC founder Rogan Taylor has not given up hope of buying Liverpool in a joint venture with fans' group the Spirit of Shankly.

Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett received a 12-month extension on £350m worth of bank loans secured against the club last week.

But Taylor told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It's another season and it will have to be restructured again.

"It costs you a lot of money when banks do this for you."

Taylor, a football academic at the University of Liverpool, is not convinced the renegotiation of debt between the American owners, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia is a good thing.

"Debt is being added to debt and that's a deeply depressing situation for Liverpool fans," said Taylor.

Taylor believes the concept of ShareLiverpoolFC, where fans would pay £500 for one share and run the club along the lines of FC Barcelona, is a viable alternative.

"The ShareLiverpoolFC - Spirit of Shankly proposal offers an opportunity to get the club on a firm basis.

"If the club was considerably less in debt and had a firm, long-term basis for paying back what debt there was in it, borrowing the money to build the stadium wouldn't be a particularly difficult issue."

Taylor's initial proposal sought Liverpool fans willing to pay £5,000 for a single share, which has since been reduced to 10% of that figure.

Questions have been raised about the viability of a fans' takeover on such a large scale but despite the doubters, Taylor is adamant it can be done.

"It's a one-off piece of Liverpool FC through ShareLiverpoolFC," he said.

"Nobody will ever own more of it than you do, now that's got intrinsic value hasn't it?

"Because these are not simple issues it's sometimes difficult for people to grasp," said Taylor.

Liverpool Look To Cattermole & Turner As Xabi Alonso Nears Real Madrid

Reports from the UK indicate that Real Madrid are nearer than ever to realising their ambition of signing Xabi Alonso from Liverpool, who in turn have already singled out the midfielder's potential replacement.

The Reds and the Blancos have refused to budge from their respective valuations of the Basque star all summer, but it is thought that a middle-ground figure of around €34 million could be agreed by the weekend.

Alonso's departure would leave a sizeable hole in Liverpool's midfield, given the enormous impact he had last season, and recent reports have suggested that Roma's Alberto Aquilani could fill the void.

However, it would seem that Rafael Benitez - who has stated that he wants Xabi to stay put - will turn to English alternatives if his prized playmaker returns to his homeland.

The Reds were briefly linked with Lee Cattermole in the not-too-distant past, and now The Daily Mail claims that they could use part of Alonso's transfer fee to fund a £12m bid for the Wigan Athletic youngster.

Furthermore, the newspaper suggests that Benitez will attempt to bolster his back line by offering Hull City £5.5m for their star centre-back, Michael Turner.

The Latics have already knocked back an approach for Cattermole from Steve Bruce's Sunderland, while Tigers boss Phil Brown has stated that the club won't consider anything less than a "ridiculous bid" for Turner.

Liverpool In Negotiations With Roma For Alberto Aquilani

Liverpool are in negotiations with Roma concerning the potential switch of Alberto Aquilani to Anfield, adding further fuel to the speculation that Xabi Alonso is set to depart the club soon.

Reds manager Rafa Bentiez has reportedly told Alonso, who continues to be linked with Real Madrid, that he must get his future sorted out by the end of the week, but it seems a possible replacement for the Basque has already been lined up.

British broadsheet newspaper The Guardian claims that Liverpool are in talks regarding bringing Aquilani to England, as Benitez is under pressure to find a replacement for Alonso quickly, as the English season begins on August 15.

A possible price tag of £16 million for the 25-year-old has been mooted in some quarters, with Roma hinting last week that they would be prepared to sell the player should the right offer come in.

Dossena Move On Hold

Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena's proposed move to Napoli has been delayed due to the player's wage demands.

The Reds have accepted a £4million offer for the Italy international, who failed to make an impact in his debut campaign in England.

Napoli sporting director Pierpaolo Marino insists there will be further talks with the full-back, but his £2million-a-year salary at Anfield is a problem.

Marino said: "Dossena? We have taken a break in order to reflect on this. The move is therefore on hold.

"There are no immediate prospects. The president [Aurelio De Laurentiis] has spoken to [Rafa] Benitez, but there is some distance with the player."

Liverpool FC Teenager Victor Palsson’s Shock And Awe To Play Alongside Steven Gerrard

Icelandic teenager Victor Palsson was so overawed to be playing alongside Steven Gerrard last week he had to ask the Liverpool star if he minded him being captain of the reserves.

Palsson, 18, only joined Liverpool in January from Danish side Aarhus and looks set to be installed as the skipper of the Anfield club’s second string this season. He held on to the armband on Tuesday night when he captained the side to a 1-0 pre-season friendly victory at Cambridge United.

But when Gerrard turned up last week at short notice following his court case to play in the second string’s 2-2 draw at Tranmere, Palsson was not sure how to react.

The Iceland under-19 said: “It was all a bit of a surprise, we were all excited. But when Steven Gerrard turned up in the dressing room I felt I had to ask him whether he minded that I was to have the captain’s armband and not him.

“(Reserve team manager) John McMahon wanted me to do the job, and Steven was very good about it and told me to get on with it.”

The midfielder added: “Playing alongside him was a great experience, he was talking to me and helping me all the time.”

Palsson is rated highly at Liverpool, as is Argentinean starlet Gerardo Bruna, the former Real Madrid player scoring the winner at Cambridge.

The reserves’ next game is a friendly away to Notts County tomorrow.

Albert Riera Determined To Improve At Liverpool This Season

Liverpool winger Albert Riera is looking to build on his impressive displays at the club last season, and to improve once more over the forthcoming season, now that he has fully acclimatised to English football.

Riera played 40 games for the Reds last season, scoring five goals, and the 27-year-old is hoping to help the Merseysiders go one better than their runners-up spot last season, and end the long wait for a league title, with the team's results against the 'big four' last season showing that they were capable of doing so.

"I always think I can be better, but I think for my first season at Anfield I did okay," the Balearic Islander told 'Pool's official website.

"It's never easy for a player moving to a new club. Adapting wasn't as difficult for me because I'd been in England before. I can improve and I have to. I know that and I will be trying to do that in the new season.

"The Champions League and Premier League are massive and I enjoy taking part in them. The fact that we had some terrific results against good opponents obviously helps. We did well against United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid, home and away.

"The only real disappointment in those big games came when we faced Chelsea at home in the European Cup. Apart from that, the other results show that we are a good team and are ready to fight for the title. We were able to go away from home against top sides and do well. That's what you need."

Riera also asserted that he feels Rafa Benitez's side do have the mentality to handle the pressure of a title challenge, despite many observers feeling that they choked slightly when the heat rose in last season's race for the Premier League crown.

"I realised straight away when I came here that the mentality was different to what I'd experienced. It is a winning attitude and that means pressure is no problem for us," he add.

"I think you always have to improve, all of us. You do that by working harder. I'm sure we will all be doing exactly that."

Krisztian Nemeth Hoping For Liverpool Breakthrough This Season

Liverpool striker Krisztian Nemeth is optimistic that his good showing in the Reds' pre-season tour of Asia is an indicator that he is set to make an impression on the Anfield first team this year.

Nemeth has attracted plaudits for his performances in the Reds' pre-season fixtures, and capped his tour of Asia by bagging a brace in the side's 5-0 drubbing of Singapore.

After spending much of last season on the sidelines following good performances in the title-winning Liverpool reserve team in 2007-08, the 20-year-old now hopes he can move things up a level in the season to come.

"Last year I was injured - I hope this year will be better," the player told the Reds' official website.

"I am young and I have been learning every day out here. The Singapore game was very good after two weeks' hard work. Every day we've had two training sessions - it's been really hard.

"But we showed in this game that we are getting fit. We enjoyed it.

"Dirk [Kuyt] gave me two very good passes and I was happy to score. I'm happy, I've enjoyed myself and the fans in Asia have been unbelievable."

Real Madrid Complete Alvaro Arbeloa Transfer From Liverpool

Real Madrid have confirmed on their official website that they have reached an agreement with Liverpool for the transfer of Alvaro Arbeloa.

The full-back will sign a five-year contract after successfully passing his medicals on Wednesday.

Dr. Carlos Diez, who administered the examinations which included blood and urine tests as well as electrocardiogram, radiology and musculoskeletal scans, said, “He’s been subjected to a standard examination.

“The results of every test are very satisfactory. He’s delighted about playing for Real Madrid. It’s always been his dream and he can’t wait to join his team-mates.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool released a statement on their own website confirming that Madrid will pay ₤3.5 million, or €4m, for Arbeloa, but did not elaborate on how the payment will be made, considering it was the only stumbling block prior to the agreement.

The 26-year-old is the third player from the Madrid youth academy to be brought back to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, after Alvaro Negredo and Esteban Granero.

Liverpool Set Focus On Youngsters

Liverpool reserve-team manager John McMahon says the club are aiming to develop more players capable of breaking into the first team.

Current Reds skipper Steven Gerrard was the last notable player to graduate from reserve and youth level and hold down a regular first-team place.

"The total aim is to produce players to play in Liverpool's first-team," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

McMahon replaced former reserve coach Gary Ablett in June.

"There's a big squad and obviously everyone's not going to get games, so some players will be looking to go out on loan," he added.

McMahon, who is the younger brother of former Liverpool midfielder Steve, joins the Liverpool coaching team after a successful three-year spell at Shrewsbury Town.

He initially worked as number two to Gary Peters at the League Two club before assisting current manager Paul Simpson.

In his time at the New Meadow he helped Shrewsbury reach two League Two play-off finals, but now he is at Anfield McMahon knows the priorities of his job have changed.

"Everyone's here for the same thing," he said. "From the academy right through to the reserves, and that's producing players for the first-team."

McMahon was brought in as part of a number of backroom changes at Anfield this summer, which has also seen former boss Kenny Dalglish take up a senior role at the club's academy.

McMahon is joined in the dug-out by former Tranmere Rovers goalkeeper John Achterberg.

The two men worked together at Prenton Park when McMahon, who was then a youth-team coach at Rovers, took up the role of caretaker manager following the departures of Ray Mathias and Brian Little.

And McMahon is delighted to be linking up with the Dutchman again.

"John's a great character and a workaholic so it's a great appointment for Liverpool Football Club," he said.

Mark Lawrenson: Selling Xabi Alonso Will Not Ruin Liverpool FC's Title Bid

Those fans in Thailand certainly made their feelings clear to Xabi Alonso on the issue of whether they wanted him to stay at Liverpool or not.

And they were right in urging him to make a decision. But what they don’t realise is, it doesn’t matter what he says either way.

If he stays, great. He proved last season that he can rise above all the transfer talk and deliver top class performances.

If he goes? Well, all I would say is, if you’re going to go, go now.

The disruption caused by Alonso’s departure can be minimal but only if the saga isn’t allowed to drag on, certainly not into the new season.

The last thing Rafael Benitez needs is the type of scenario Arsenal had for years with Patrick Vieira, one of those tedious ‘is he, isn’t he?’ situations.

If Real Madrid want him so much then and the player wants to join them, the deal should be pushed through as soon as possible.

Because I don’t think selling Alonso will have a detrimental effect on any potential title challenge for next season.

The existing players won’t be affected. They have the confidence and belief that they can challenge Manchester United and will carry that into the new campaign regardless.

Selling Alonso might give the supporters a bit of a headache on how the manager replaces him – but I actually think it gives Benitez the opportunity to make his side a more potent attacking threat.

I know Benitez has previously denied interest in David Villa but this player, or someone of his ilk, would be ideal I think, once the money from any sale of Alonso is being splashed around the market.

I see absolutely no problem with Steven Gerrard dropping a hit deeper to allow a top quality striker – especially one with Villa’s understanding of Torres’s game – to add more firepower.

It’s all very well asking Gerrard to play as the back-up forward to Torres, but what happens if the Spaniard’s injury problems resurface?

Who have Liverpool currently got who can have the same impact?

Benitez might be happy with the form being shown by some of his squad strikers in this pre- season, but then David Ngog proved last year that it doesn’t necessarily translate into the real business. Krisztian Nemeth might have looked good in scoring twice the other day but this was a friendly.

It wasn’t ultra competitive and the opposition was sub-standard anyway, so it doesn’t mean he’s ready.

And if Benitez is so pleased to have “one of the best players in the German League” back in his squad, why did he let Andriy Voronin go in the first place? Because he can’t cut it, that’s why.

So I would say, let Alonso go now, take the money and, while there’s still plenty of time, spend it on someone who can turn those draws – so costly in last season’s final analysis – into victories.

Alonso might be the best passer at the club but even he hasn’t got the attacking prowess to be a genuine match-winner.

So it’s time to cash in and get someone who is.

Reds Close To Winning Xabi Alonso Battle

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez claims he is ready to walk away from his summer-long pursuit of Xabi Alonso – because Liverpool won’t play ball!

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has refused to budge from his £30million valuation of the Spanish international.

But that is way above Real’s estimation and Perez insists that despite his club’s massive outlay on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka this summer, they will not pay over the odds for any remaining targets.

“Some people obviously thought that because we said we wanted more Spanish players, they could ask for fees which don’t correspond to reality,” he said.

“A year ago, certain players we’ve asked about would have cost less than half the price we’re being quoted now.

“If necessary, we’ll find the Spanish players we would like for the squad in our youth system.”

Then, in a strong message to Liverpool, Perez added: “We made huge attempts at the start to sign players who had won the Ballon d'Or or the World Footballer of the Year award.

“But the arrivals of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo have confused some people who obviously thought that, because we said we wanted more Spanish players, they could ask for fees which don't correspond to reality.”

Perez also suggested any deal for Alonso would be dependent on the club selling a number of their players deemed surplus to requirements.

He continued: “We brought in a lot of players, our prime objectives, at the start and now we have the absurd number of 29 players in our squad, when we can only register 25 for the league.

“It has been more difficult than we expected encouraging players to look at other options. At this point, for a player to arrive, at least one would have to leave.

“There is a financial element to that, but it is mainly a technical one. We cannot have so many players who would not have chance to play. It has to be one in, one out for us at the moment.”

Benitez is adamant he will not lower his asking price, and Alonso’s reluctance to publicly state his desire to quit Anfield has left the Reds holding all the aces during negotiations.

Agent: Reds Accept Dossena Bid

Andrea Dossena's prospective Anfield exit is a step closer after Liverpool accepted an offer from Napoli, according to the defender's agent.

The Italy international is believed to be keen on a return to Seria A after struggling to make an impact in England following his move from Udinese last summer.

Reports suggest Napoli's offer is in the region of 5million euros (£4.3m), a significant loss on a player boss Rafael Benitez paid 10million euros for just twelve months ago.

Representatives of the left-back have suggested the offer has been accepted and Dossena is expected to complete the move later this week.

"Liverpool have accepted (Napoli chairman) Aurelio De Laurentiis' offer," his agent told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"It's now just a matter of days. The two clubs are in agreement, Liverpool accepted Napoli's offer but I can't say any more.

"With regards to Andrea there are no problems, it's only a matter of days. As soon as Napoli call us, we will finalize it."

Pepe Reina: Liverpool Must Be More Consistent

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has echoed a refrain which is becoming increasingly common around Anfield in recent months, and asserted that the Reds must discover the means to be more consistent if they are to end the club's long wait for a league title.

It is 20 years since the Mersey men were last crowned champions of England, and the Spanish keeper believes that recording better results against those sides lower down the Premier League table is the crucial factor in finding the few extra points the Reds require in order to wrest the Premier League crown out of the hands of fierce rivals Manchester United.

Liverpool managed an impressive set of results against the other 'top four' sides last season, but often struggled against so-called 'lesser' teams, recording a run of draws against the likes of Stoke City, West Ham United and Wigan Athletic that did irreparable harm to their bid for last season's league title.

Reina is convinced that such a record requires drastic improvement if Rafa Benitez's men are to be triumphant over the course of the coming campaign.

"To get 14 points out of 18 against the top three - they are numbers which are not very common," he told Sky Sports News.

"So sometimes you win [games] between the top four or the top five, but the thing is we have to win against the bottom ten."

Liverpool Can End Long Wait For A Premier League Title - Yossi Benayoun

Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun has asserted that Rafa Benitez's side is now strong enough to end the Anfield outfit's long wait for a league title, and will bring the Premier League crown to Merseyside this season.

Twenty seasons have passed since the Reds' last league championship win, and Liverpool supporters have - in that time - been forced to watch as their bitter rivals from the other end of the East Lancs Road, Manchester United, have enjoyed domination of the domestic crown.

Nevertheless, the Israeli international feels that with a little self-belief, Benitez's team can push on and finally end the drought come next May.

"The Premier League is very strong," he told Sky Sports News. "It's still Manchester [United], Chelsea and Arsenal, and Manchester City are getting stronger, so we know it's going to be difficult.

"But we believe in ourselves. We just to get better and to try to improve all the time and I think we have a good chance."

Liverpool flew home today after completing their tour of Asia with a 5-0 rout of Singapore at the weekend.

Liverpool Have Returned Stronger From Asia - Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool's pre-season tour of Asia, where they experienced high temperatures and humidity in their fixtures, has been a valuable exercise, and has improved fitness and strength levels in the squad.

"The main thing at this stage is getting fitness and coming out here and playing in these conditions has definitely helped," the talismanic defender told the club's official website.

Liverpool concluded their tour with a 5-0 thrashing of Singapore on Sunday, a result which followed a 1-1 draw with Thailand, allowing them to end on a high note after a frustrating run of results in their pre-season so far.

"Having not won any of our first three games it was nice to get a win and score a few for the supporters," Carragher added.

"It was just a great way to end the trip. It's been brilliant and the support we have here is just amazing. It has grown even more since the last time we were here."

The Reds also collected some silverware from the trip, with the win over Singapore meaning that Carragher, as stand-in skipper on the tour, was presented with the Merlion Cup.

The former England international is hoping that club captain Steven Gerrard is given plenty of opportunity to emulate that feat in the coming season, with Carragher hopeful that the club can bring some trophies back to Anfield.

"Hopefully Stevie will be the one picking up trophies when the real stuff is handed out in 10 months," he concluded.