Rafa Benitez Doesn't Expect To Sign Marouane Chamakh

Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez has conceded defeat in his attempts to sign Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh in the summer.

The Morocco international is available on a free transfer and the Liverpool FC boss was initially hopeful of bringing him to Anfield.

Only last month Liverpool FC appeared to lead the race for his signature but the player has since expressed interest in joining Arsenal, and Benitez believes any chance of securing the player is now dead.

The 26-year-old has reportedly hit out at Liverpool FC for being "fussy" over contract negotiations but Benitez is angry at the breakdown of the deal.

"I think that we will not sign him - but I will not say (any more)," said the Spaniard.

Liverpool FC Youth Crash Out Of FA Youth Cup Against Watford At Anfield

A debatable penalty and a disappointing first-half display cost Liverpool dear as they went out of the FA Youth Cup last night.

Piero Mingoia’s spot-kick was enough to help Watford score a 1-0 fifth-round victory at Anfield and land them a home quarter-final clash with Chelsea.

Liverpool coach Rodolfo Borrell was disappointed with his side in the first half, but refused to use the harsh penalty decision for his side’s exit.

Referee Matthew Bristow felt Reds’ centre-back Stephan Sama had fouled Watford skipper Eddie Oshodi in a collision in the box for the penalty. But that came in the 18th minute and despite an improvement after the break Liverpool’s youngsters failed to grab an equaliser.

Substitute Kristjan Emilsson headed agonisingly wide from Tom Ince’s cross.

And fellow sub Krisztian Adorjan found the back of the net in injury time from another Ince centre but the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside.

That was a near as Liverpool came and coach Borrell said: “It was very disappointing. The first-half display was unacceptable.

“In the second half we deserved a bit more. We played a bit better. We tried to get the ball forward more. We were more dynamic and better with the ball. The chances were not absolutely clear, because they were good defending.

“We came from a fantastic performance (in the last round) against Leicester, we beat Wolverhampton here and went to Manchester United and won in the league.

“But in the first half was too lightweight. That is not good if you want to win.”

Mukesh Ambani And Subrata Roy 'Preparing Liverpool Takeover Bid'

Two Indian business tycoons were reported last night to be lining up attempts to take control of Liverpool. Mukesh Ambani and Subrata Roy were said to be willing to pay off the club's £237m debt in return for a 51% stake in the club, according to The Times.

Ambani is India's wealthiest person with a fortune valued at about $20bn. He is the chairman of India's Reliance Industries and owns the Mumbai Indians cricket team. Roy, chairman of the Sahara Group, which sponsors the India cricket team, is also a billionaire.

Liverpool's co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, have been searching for fresh investment for some time but they are not thought to want to sell more than 50% of the club's shares.

They have been seeking investment of £100m for a minority stake in the club. The Americans have been ordered by the Royal Bank of Scotland to reduce Anfield's debt by £100m before July.

The Times claim that Roy's interest appeared to be the more serious. It reported that Liverpool's chief executive, Christian Purslow, had denied knowledge of a bid but the paper said the pair had made approaches in November and that discussions had been held. However, this morning a spokesman for Ambani denied he is interested in any taking over the Merseyside club. "There is no truth to the report. We deny it completely," said Sudeep Purkayastha, from Reliance.

There is also said to be interest from the United States and from a Saudi Arabian consortium.

Hicks and Gillett are under pressure from supporters to sell. They took over in February 2007 but have not so far delivered on a project designed to deliver a new stadium and have provided the manager, Rafael Benítez, with little in the way of transfer funds for this season. Maxi Rodríguez was the only January signing.

Liverpool Must Continue Winning Run, Starting At Arsenal - Steven Gerrard

Since the goal-less draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool have beaten Bolton Wanderers and Everton and captain Steven Gerrard has called on his Reds to extend that form on the road, as the club take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

And the spirit shown in the 1-0 derby win over Everton on Saturday had Gerrard smiling.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "You always enjoy beating your local rivals but it was the way we did it that was really satisfying, particularly after losing a man after half an hour.

"I thought we showed fantastic character, a great attitude and I also thought we played some decent stuff at times. I thought it was a fully deserved win.

"You could see what it meant to everyone on the pitch at the end and it was the same again in the dressing room afterwards; everybody is still on a high.

"Now we have got to take that high into the next game," the Englishman said.

"It's a tough one, Arsenal away always is. But we have used beating Everton as a platform in the past and we've got to do it again. We want to extend our run and go on to better things."

The successful shut-out against Everton ensured that Pepe Reina has kept his sheet clean since Robert Huth's last gasp equalising goal for Stoke City in mid-January.

Gerrard, while urging for a win against a deflated Arsenal side who suffered a second successive loss at the weekend to Chelsea, warned his own side against complacency, indicating that their top four finish is not yet complete.

"We know there is a long way to go and we want to make sure we are in the top four at the end of the season," he added.

"It's performances like this that will get you in there. We have got to try and keep this run going, as we can't afford any slip-ups.

"There is pressure coming from Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa

"There are a couple of very tough games coming up but if we can show what we have done in the last six games, I don't see why we can't maintain it."

Marouane Chamakh Set To Snub Liverpool FC For Arsenal Switch

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh has revealed that he wants to join Arsenal when his contract expires this summer - effectively ending Liverpool's interest in him.

The Reds were one of the frontrunners for the Morocco international's signature but a move to North London with the Gunners appears to be too strong to resist for the 26-year-old, who admitted that he favoured a switch to the capital with Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger believed to be a keen admirer of his abilities.

He said: "I have no reason to be under pressure but, every day passing by, I am a little less a Bordeaux player.

"My choice is to join a Premier League club and, if I could choose, I will go to Arsenal. Bordeaux have brought me so much.

"I will soon clearly state things so the club can prepare to find my replacement peacefully.'

Despite his impending departure from the Stade Chaban Delmas Chamakh, who has scored 69 goals during his eight-year spell with les Girondins, was full of praise for manager Laurent Blanc after the World Cup-winning defender instilled a winning mentality in the Ligue 1 outfit.

He added: "Laurent Blanc has brought us a winning state of mind, he has taught us how to hate defeat.

"Both on mental and physical levels, I am at my best. Three years ago, I was still a little crazy. Now I can manage my efforts, which allows me to be more clear-sighted at the end of the match.

"I have improved, but I can still improve. I am not only happy to play anymore. I have become someone who wants to win.

"I am more a scorer, but not enough yet. There are too many situations where I still do a pass for a player in a better position."

Liverpool, meanwhile, are still hoping to secure Milan Jovanovic's services this summer on a Bosman transfer after he declined the opportunity to extend his time with Standard Liege.

The Serbian hitman has attracted significant interest with several of the continent's most illustrious clubs expressing interest. The Reds are expected to face a battle with Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus to bring the 29-year-old to Merseyside.

Standard Liege's vice-president Luciano D'Onofrio paid tribute to the departing striker and revealed: "Jovanovic has always given everything for our club.

"Milan, Juventus and Liverpool want him. The choice is his. I have no role in this decision "

Speaking on Friday, Rafael Benitez insisted that there had been no progress in luring Jovanovic to Anfield but that the club were monitoring developments surrounding player.

He said: "He is a player that is finishing his contract and we are monitoring the situation."

Everton FC Were Too Easy, Says Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez admitted Everton FC made it easy for Liverpool FC to win the 213th Merseyside derby.

Dirk Kuyt’s 55th minute header was the difference between the two teams, but Benitez believes Everton failed to take advantage of Sotirios Kyrgiakos’ first half sending off.

The Greek defender received a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Marouane Fellaini, who was stretchered off before being carried down the tunnel and taken to hospital for an x-ray.

Despite the introduction of the ball-playing Mikel Arteta, however, the visitors resorted to hitting long balls forward instead of trying to play through Liverpool.

That, says Benitez, played into the Reds’ hands, making for a more comfortable win than he expected.

“I was surprised,” said the Spaniard.

“I was expecting more penetrating passes and also for them to try and play on the floor.

“They had Arteta on but they played direct. That made it easier for us. It was easier to control and we continued to do our job in defence.

“When you are losing with 11 players against 10, but you have to win, sometimes you are a little bit more nervous and play more direct. That made it easier for us to control the situation.

“It suited us.”

Benitez was clearly unhappy with the decision to send off Kyrgiakos, particularly as Fellaini went unpunished in an incident that presented a case for both players being reprimanded.

Having impressed in recent weeks, the centre-half will now miss Liverpool’s next three games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Blackburn.

Referee Martin Atkinson struggled to control a typically physical encounter between the fierce Mersey rivals, but Benitez stopped short of publicly criticising the official.

“There are too many tackles that we can analyse carefully but we won’t all agree,” he said.

“I prefer not to say anything about it rather than comment on the referee.

“But, yes, everybody was surprised with the sending off.”

Kuyt grabbed his 50th goal for Liverpool to hand the Anfield club maximum points and move them up to fourth in the table, a point ahead of Tottenham who drew with Aston Villa on Saturday.

“I think everyone knows now what Kuyt can do for us,” said Benitez.

“He’s not a player that is very skilful; not in the way we would normally understand of a skilful player with that kind of ability.

“Fifty goals for any player is a good achievement, especially in the Premier League. He has played as a right and left winger, striker and second striker. He is very important.”

The typically composed Benitez turned towards the Main Stand to celebrate at the final whistle.

He refuted claims he was making a gesture to the director’s box, however.

“To play with 10 players in a derby like this one, that was so emotional, you have to say thank you to the fans,” he added.

“My celebration was spontaneous. It was to the fans, nothing more. For me the fans were pushing and helping the team.

“That is the way, to get behind us, and help us win games.”

Javier Mascherano: Liverpool FC And Everton FC Made Life Difficult For The Ref During The Derby

Javier Mascherano believes both Liverpool and Everton players made life tough for derby referee Martin Atkinson.

The official was kept busy at Anfield on Saturday as the most volatile fixture in Premier League history produced two more red cards.

The dismissals of Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Steven Pienaar means there have now been 19 red cards in 36 Premier League derby showdowns.

"It was a very hard job for the referee because the players did not help him," he said.

"It was a hard game with a lot of tackles but this is the way it is in derby matches, they don’t want to lose and we don’t want to lose. Sometimes you can see some hard tackles because of this.

"Soto (Kyrgiakos) said to us that he went for the ball, maybe he went in the wrong way but he went for the ball."

The red card for Kyrgiakos saw Mascherano pressed into service as a makeshift right-back.

And the Argentine said: "Last season I played right-back against Sunderland. This time, it would have been difficult for the manager to make a sub at that time so maybe he preferred to move me into right-back and I tried to do my best.

"The way that we won made it even better. To be a man down for so long and to have to play with 10 men for almost 60 minutes was really difficult but the result shows how hard we worked.

"The most important thing is that the team continued to work hard and because of this we were able to win with 10 players.

"Maybe it wasn’t our best performance but the only thing that mattered was the win. Now we have to keep going."

Dirk Kuyt's Big-Match Mentality Makes Him Just As Important As Fernando Torres For Rafa Benitez

To the casual football observer, Dirk Kuyt can appear something of a mystery. He might be a seasoned professional, with more than 50 caps for the Netherlands, and have 200 career goals to his name, but the most famous son from the tiny Dutch fishing village of Katwijk aan Zee is not your average modern-day footballer.

On the pitch, the 29-year-old can appear sluggish, ungainly even. His first touch can have supporters apoplectic with rage, and his lack of genuine pace - on and off the ball - can make his right-wing position seem absurd.

But, as already noted, Kuyt is not your typical footballer. Just ask the Nepalese and Brazilian children helped out by the incredibly selfless charity foundation he runs with his wife, Gertrude. Failing that, just ask Rafa Benitez and the Liverpool supporters.

Saturday's 1-0 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton saw Benitez's Liverpool side stretch their unbeaten league run to seven matches, leapfrogging Tottenham Hotspur into the coveted fourth Champions League spot in the process. But lost amid the passion and aggression of a powderkeg Anfield atmosphere was a rather significant landmark for their Dutch destroyer.

Kuyt's winning goal was his 50th for Liverpool. And whilst a half-century scored in 177 games may not set the pulses racing, it is worth remembering that Kuyt has spent the bulk of his time at Anfield as a wide midfielder, and it is testament to his big-game mentality (and scoring record) that there is plenty of debate as to whether Saturday's strike was his most important.

The Dutchman is not the first Liverpool player to reach a milestone at Anfield this season, of course. Fernando Torres tore up the record books when he reached his 50th Premier League goal in just 72 games, and whilst Kuyt lacks the X-Factor and the marketability of his Spanish counterpart, there can be little doubting either man's importance to the Reds' cause.

Ironically, Torres' signing in 2007 could well have spelt the end of Kuyt's stay on Merseyside. The Dutchman had been brought in from Eredivisie giants Feyenoord a year previously for a healthy £10 million fee, and had the then-Spurs-manager Martin Jol declaring that Liverpool's new signing was a "20-20" player (20 goals and 20 assists a season).

It didn't quite work out like that in truth; Kuyt netted 14 times in his debut season in England, but Liverpool finished in a distant third place, and Benitez identified Torres as a more dynamic, prolific solution for the Reds' attack.

Lesser players - lesser characters - may have withered following the arrival of a new darling to Anfield. Not Kuyt. Benitez's decision to redeploy the former FC Utrecht man on the right of midfield raised more than a few eyebrows - pace is perhaps Kuyt's greatest weakness, after all - but the Spaniard sees through the aesthetic shortcomings, past the sensational headlines, and sees a man devoted to Liverpool.

In truth his second season at Anfield was easily his worst to date. He laboured through autumn and winter, dazzled in the glare of Torres, who was en route to a phenomenal debut-season total of 33 goals in all competitions.

But the knock-out stages of the Champions League brought Kuyt to life. Whilst even the best players are often accused of shirking their big-game duties, with Kuyt there is never an issue.

The opening goal against Inter at Anfield in the last-16, a critical equaliser at Arsenal in the quarter-finals, and the opener against Chelsea in the semis all followed. Kuyt's diligence in defence ensured his right-back was rarely exposed, his striker's instinct enabled him to pop up in the right place at the right time, just when Liverpool needed him.

There are still those who need convincing. Every summer Liverpool supporters implore Benitez to add some flair, some craft to the Reds' flanks. Kuyt's functional nature is all well and good, they say, but what about some guile, some mesmeric dribbling? They see Torres, the embodiement of the perfect modern-day centre forward - tall, strong, quick, prolific - and want that replicated all over the pitch.

Yet whilst every team would love a Torres (or 10 of them), the argument can be made that every team needs a Kuyt or two. Someone who gives you everything, every single week. Someone who leads by example, no matter the circumstances. It is no surprise that when Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were absent this season, Benitez handed the captaincy to Kuyt.

Of course this season has not been the best - for Liverpool or for Kuyt. The disappointment of a title-challenge which ended in October has hurt the club, as has their ludicrously-early exit from the Champions League. Injuries to key players has only exacerbated the sense of crisis which has - perhaps prematurely - gathered around Anfield.

Yet out of the ashes has risen a seven-game unbeaten run. And at the forefront of it has been guess who? Kuyt netted twice against Tottenham when the Reds were seemingly at rock-bottom, having been ushered out of the FA Cup by Reading; he grabbed the nerve-settling opener against Bolton; and on Saturday he continued his impressive goalscoring record against Everton with another critical strike. He now has four goals against the enemy - only Gerrard and Robbie Fowler have more in the Premier League era.

If Benitez were to listen to those demanding a new winger, he would have 50 clubs knocking on his door for his no. 18. The Kop may adore Torres for his goals and his grace, but they are well aware that in Kuyt they possess another very special footballer.

Not that the down-to-earth Dutchman would ever admit it, of course.

Glen Johnson Will Not Face Action Over Allegation Of Assault Outside A London Nightclub

Liverpool FC footballer Glen Johnson will face no action following an allegation of assault outside a London nightclub.

The defender was accused of attacking a man in the West End near the Movida club at around 4am on a December night out after the Reds' defeat to Portsmouth.

The victim claimed he was punched and suffered minor arm, chest and facial injuries.

The Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "No further action will be taken in this case."

Detectives are understood not to have spoken to Johnson about the incident.

Merseyside MPs Call For Tough Regulation On Premier Football Clubs’ Finances

Merseyside MPs have appealed to the government to take greed out of the beautiful game.

They want better regulation of Liverpool and other premier football clubs so that they are no longer at the mercy of millionaire takeover barons.

And regulation should include a cap on players’ wages, better management of debts run up by struggling clubs, improved fair trading rules and a better deal for fans.

Their move followed a series of complaints and demonstrations by Reds fans and the recent Green and Gold campaign at Manchester United.

Liverpool-city region MPs have now sponsored a Commons motion tabled by Manchester MP Tony Lloyd, chairman of the committee of all Labour backbench MPs.

The motion “recognises that professional football has become a major part of the modern way of life for millions.

“The state of the premier league and the professional game is causing concern, but self-regulation by the football authorities has often meant no regulation.”

The motion called on ministers to work with the football authorities to “create a binding framework which will regulate club debt, guarantee the protection of the consumer with rules for fair trading and protect the wider public interest by putting the supporter at the heart of the national game.”

Motion sponsor George Howarth, MP for Knowsley North and Sefton East, said: “Most supporters are horrified at the way the game is financed, particularly the way in which rich investors are able to dominate football across the country.

“It is high time we looked at other financing methods, beef up regulation and put the fans first. That may mean a cap on wages and greater financial involvement by supporters.”

He stressed that they were not singling out Liverpool – or Everton – but felt that all top-class clubs need to be overhauled.

Halton MP Derek Twigg said: “There is widespread concern amongst supporters, financial commentators and football journalists that the controlling interests in the clubs do not obviously demonstrate long-term commitment to the clubs involved and to the health of football in general.”

And Peter Kilfoyle, whose Walton constituency includes both city clubs, said: “The time has come for football fans to be given a tangible stake in the clubs they have helped to build and still support.”

Two Jailed Over Hand Grenade Plot

Two men were jailed on Monday over a planned arson attack in which a military hand grenade was left outside football hero Kenny Dalglish's home.

The army bomb squad had to be called to the former Liverpool and Blackburn manager's house last July when undercover police scotched an attack on one of his neighbours.

Dalglish, 58, now Liverpool FC's academy director, and his wife Marina, 55, who runs a cancer charity, were not at the property in Birkdale, near Southport, at the time.

A gang of thugs were planning to launch the British military grenade - which explodes into 1,800 lethal fragments - through the living room window of businessman John Ball.

Mr Ball was at home with his children aged nine and 17 months at the time.

The attack, which was abandoned when a security guard reported the men, would have been one of many intimidatory attacks on Mr. Ball's properties and businesses.

On Monday, Liverpool Crown Court heard Mr. Ball and his business partner Terry Riley were the victims of more than 20 attacks because of a venture involving a Liverpool garage.

Three men were said to have arranged the intended bombing of Mr. Ball's home on 26 July in a bid to pressure him away from giving evidence in an impending court case against them.

The trio allegedly used Mark Johnston, 21, to orchestrate the planned bombing from his Liverpool jail cell - where he was serving a nine-year sentence for robbery.

Johnston, of MacQueen Street, Liverpool, texted convicted drug dealer Carl Higgins, 29, to find another man to throw the grenade for "a monkey" - £500.

When police traced the texts back to Johnston and searched his cell they discovered the mobile phone hidden up his bottom.

Messages from Johnston to Higgins included: "Fits in ur hand", "Lad, he's gota smash window an throw into house otherwise they wont pay gota be done rite lad", "gota pull pin lad", and "Make sure window smashed first an throw gota do the job as they want it doin lad".

Higgins, who the court heard has a very low IQ after being attacked in April 2008 by a gang wielding an axe and sword, recruited unemployed criminal Simon Ignacio, 28.

When Ignacio and Higgins were rumbled outside their intended victim's house they fled but Ignacio - who has convictions for battery and harassment - left the grenade in a shrubbery outside Mr. Dalglish's home.

His barrister, Nigel Power, said he had no idea he was carrying a British military grenade and thought he was only carrying "an onion bomb" made from fireworks.

He also said Ignacio, of Lee Park Avenue, Liverpool, was only involved in the conspiracy for half an hour before the police were called and would not have thrown it if people were inside the house.

Higgins, of Helston Green, Huyton, Liverpool, was jailed for five years and Ignacio sentenced to four-and-a-half years.

Both men admitted conspiring to cause damage and being reckless to whether life would be endangered.

The judge, Mr. Justice Edwards-Stuart, said: "It was a real Army grenade which is absolutely a lethal weapon.

"Had there been anyone in the room and the grenade landed and exploded death would have been immediate. The explosion would have caused massive damage to the house."

"It was an utterly reckless act," he added.

Johnston will be sentenced on February 26.

Carra's Arsenal Mission

Jamie Carragher believes normal service has been resumed in Liverpool's defensive ranks - but warned the Reds will face a tough task in keeping Arsenal at bay on Wednesday evening.

Saturday's 1-0 victory over Everton moved Rafael Benitez's side into fourth place in the table and means they have now kept six clean sheets in their last seven Barclays Premier League outings.

Carragher admits the derby triumph has increased the 'feelgood factor' within the camp, and the vice-captain is eager for Liverpool to continue their defensive defiance at the Emirates.

"It is not just three points, it has a massive impact and everyone is buzzing," he said.

"But that can change if the result doesn't go our way at Arsenal.

"We beat Manchester United (in the league) and then played Arsenal in the Carling Cup and lost.

"It is important we keep that feelgood factor after the Arsenal game and that will be by making sure we get a good result.

"We are going into the game in a great frame of mind but Arsenal away is always difficult.

"We have been to the Emirates for a couple of years now and I don't think we've won there yet so it is something we are going to have to do sooner or later and hopefully Wednesday will be the time.

"For the last four or five years we have been good defensively under Rafa and we are just getting back to our normal selves.

"If you keep clean sheets you are going to win games."

Mourinho Reveals Exit Options

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has revealed the details in his contract which allow him a premature exit from the San Siro. The self-styled ‘Special One’ who has garnered success in each of his coaching positions at Porto, Chelsea and Inter has regularly hinted that he could return to the Premier League in the near future with Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City all tipped as possible destinations.

With Rafael Benitez heavily linked with an exit from Liverpool, it is the Merseyside giants that appear to be leading the chase for Mourinho’s signature although such is the profile of the Portuguese tactician that competition is sure to be fierce to snap him up.

Speaking to the Portuguese press about his future, Mourinho revealed:

"The club [Inter] and I signed a very objective contract until 2012, because we want to work together.

"But there is a cancellation clause that Inter will pay me if they want my departure and another that I will pay Inter if I want to leave.

"It's all simple and very objective. There will never be a never-ending story with us as has happened in the past with other people. We are honest people with honest contracts and objectivity."

Movement between Italy and England has become an increasingly regular phenomenon in recent seasons with Claudio Ranieri leaving Chelsea for his homeland, Carlo Ancelotti quitting AC Milan for the Blues, Roberto Mancini taking up the reigns at Manchester City, Gianfranco Zola returning to London with West Ham United and the aforementioned Mourinho making his switch to Inter.

It is yet to be seen whether Rafael Benitez will be the next boss to move to Serie A, although with the Spaniard happily revealing contact from Juventus it appears that the Reds are at risk of losing their under-fire, but talented coach.

Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez Confident Of Bringing Standard Liege's Milan Jovanovic To Anfield

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists that he is certain Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic will be headed in the direction of Merseyside.

There was some talk of the Serbia international having signed a pre-contract agreement with the Reds, but a source recently told Goal.com UK that the 28-year-old was still unsure of a move to Anfield due to the speculation surrounding Benitez's future.

However, the former Valencia coach is certain that the two parties will come to an agreement in due course.

"Nothing is sorted yet, but I’m confident it will be," said Benitez, according to the Daily Mail.

Jovanovic will be available on a free transfer from Liege in the summer, with Fiorentina, Milan and Valencia also believed to be interested in securing the player's signature.

Manchester United, Liverpool And Tottenham Hotspur Ready As Manchester City Look To Sell Stephen Ireland

The Daily Mail claims that Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, is planning to sell Stephen Ireland this summer as he sets about revamping his midfield.

Questions over the Irish playmaker's future at Eastlands have arisen following the Sky Blues' January pursuit of Parma star McDonald Mariga, who ended up joining Inter instead.

And with Real Madrid schemer Fernando Gago still on Mancini's radar, a number of big clubs are said to be queueing up in anticipation of Ireland being made available at season's end.

Manchester United head a group of long-term admirers that also includes Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, with Sir Alex Ferguson a particularly big fan of the 23-year-old.

Ireland's value has skyrocketed since last season, when he shook off a series of prior controversies to establish himself as City's main man with 13 goals in all competitions.

Juventus Plan Summer Swoop For Liverpool Defender Martin Skrtel

Juventus have singled out Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel as the man to shore up their defence next season, according to the News of the World.

The struggling Serie A giants are looking to freshen up their rearguard, with Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro now in his autumn years and star stopper Giorgio Chiellini tipped for a big-money transfer.

And with her eyes still lingering on Anfield after her pursuit of Reds manager Rafael Benitez, it is claimed that the Old Lady will put up £8 million for Skrtel in the summer.

The Slovakian defender's stocks have fallen somewhat this season, as Daniel Agger and even Sotirios Kyrgiakos have pushed ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, Juve reportedly see the former Zenit St. Petersburg hardman as exactly the type of player they need to add some much-needed grunt and grit to their back line.

Skrtel has made 74 appearances in all competitions during his three seasons at Liverpool, netting one goal.

Liverpool, Everton And Spurs To Battle It Out For Hull Starlet

Hull are facing a fight to hang on to wonder kid Tom Cairney.

The teenage sensation is already being tracked by Premier League big guns - after just five senior starts for the Tigers.

Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton are monitoring Cairney’s progress and are ready to slug it out for his signature in the summer.

City boss Phil Brown is determined to hang on to the 19-year-old midfielder but the financially fragile Humberside outfit may have no option but to cash in on their top young talent if they are relegated.

Brown gave Nottingham-born Cairney his first-team chance in cup ties this season and he made his Premier League debut at home to Wolves eight days ago.

He was so impressive that he kept his place for Tuesday’s draw with Chelsea, when he put in another accomplished performance.

Winger Reveals Reds Targets

Nabil El Zhar admits injuries have scuppered the targets he set himself in pre-season - but the fit-again winger is now determined to make up for lost time.

The Moroccan sustained a knee ligament injury during Liverpool's Far East tour in July, meaning he spent the opening four months of 2009-10 on the sidelines.

El Zhar's return to action as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers in December proved to be a brief one as an ankle problem reunited the 23-year-old with Melwood's treatment table once more.

However, the former Saint Etienne forward recently resumed full-training and is now eager to re-establish himself in the plans of Rafael Benitez after making 19 senior appearances last term.

He told LFC Weekly: "I know some fans still see my name on the programme and think, 'Nabil El Zhar - he's one of our younger players.' That's not true. If I was 18 or 19, they would have been right.

"But I'm 23 and approaching an important stage of my career.

"I have two main hopes when each season starts. The first is to play more games than the season before, The second is to improve as a player and a person.

"Last season was a good one for me. I played a reasonable number of games and felt a big improvement in my overall game.

"So far this year, injuries have meant that I haven't been able to even begin to reach those basic targets."

He added: "The Blackburn game was tough but it felt really good to be back playing again. I tried my best to give the team some width and pace and was content with my performance.

"I was looking forward to playing some part in the squad but then I suffered another setback. It has been one of the most frustrating periods of my career.

"I still have a lot to achieve. There is still time for me to become a regular first-team player - although I need to have a period of time without being injured to do that."

Rafael Benítez's Belief In Champions League 'Guarantee' Grows

Rafael Benítez praised his Liverpool side for delivering a "massive" performance against Everton at Anfield today. The hosts won a tetchy and often violent Merseyside derby 1-0 having had to play for the majority of the encounter with 10 men after their Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos was sent off on 34 minutes for a two-footed lunge on Marouane Fellaini.

The victory, secured through Dirk Kuyt's 55th minute header, was Liverpool's fifth in seven league games and saw them climb into fourth place, at least briefly. But for Benítez, it was the nature of how his men triumphed in the 213th meeting between these sides that stood out the most, fuelling him as it did with further belief in his "guarantee" that the club will end the season in one of the Champions League qualifying places.

"To win in the derby is always important but to do it with 10 players is more important," said the Spaniard. "I am pleased for all the players and for all the fans. Everyone worked so hard.

"It's a long race [for fourth place] but if we keep working hard and sticking together like we did today then I feel even more sure that we can do it."

Benítez refused to comment on referee Martin Atkinson's decision to dismiss Kyrgiakos, although the way he reacted to the decision at the time indicated that he felt it was harsh.

Kyrgiakos charged into Fellaini with both feet off the ground and while he did get the ball, he also got the man with Fellaini having to be carried off the pitch and eventually replaced by Mikel Arteta. An x-ray carried out on the Belgian's ankle has revealed no serious damage caused by the tackle and he should be fit enough to feature in the visit of Chelsea on Wednesday.

In all, there was seven bookings with two shown to Steven Pienaar to take the tally of red cards handed out in this fixture since the formation to the Premier League to 19 – more than any other.

David Moyes, the Everton manager, felt both dismissals were correct and instead reserved his angst for his side's failure to capitalise on their one-man advantage.

"We kept the ball well but didn't create enough chances with the extra man," he said. "Saying that, we did not deserve to lose as Liverpool didn't create many chances either."

That was not an assessment shared by Benítez, whose side next faces Arsenal on Wednesday. "From the beginning we were doing well and we definitely deserved to win," he said. "We must now keep winning games."

Moyes Wanted Derby Point

Everton manager David Moyes felt his side deserved to take something from the 213th Merseyside derby with Liverpool at Anfield.

The Reds took all three points in a fiery encounter as Dirk Kuyt nodded home early in the second half from Steven Gerrard's precise corner.

Rafa Benitez's men played the vast majority of the match with only 10 men after defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos saw red following an X-rated challenge with Marouane Fellaini.

The Toffees midfielder escaped punishment - strangely as he went into the tackle over the top of the ball - but could not continue as he limped out of the action.

Steven Pienaar, who earlier escaped with only a booking following a nasty foul on Javier Mascherano, did not make it to the final whistle either following a second booking in the closing seconds for jumping into Steven Gerrard.

Moyes felt both red cards were fully justified and bemoaned his side's lack of creativity, although felt they were worthy of a point.

He said: "I think there have been lots of derbies very similar; quite feisty and that's why fans like them because they sometimes have a little bit extra in them.

"The first sending-off (Kyrgiakos) was a two-footed tackle, both feet off the ground. Fellaini has been for an X-ray but we think it is clear, which is good news.

"I've no complaints about Steven's sending-off as there was a tackle earlier in the game where he might have been fortunate to stay on.

"I thought we certainly didn't deserve to lose the game. We might not have deserved to win it but we shouldn't have lost it.

"We didn't create enough chances with the extra man but, saying that, Liverpool didn't either and their goal came from one set-piece - which in the past would have been us that might have done that but it was Liverpool on Saturday."