Klose: Germans Rate Liverpool Midfielder Gerrard Bigger Tthreat Than Rooney

Bayern Munich veteran Miroslav Klose says the Germans rate Liverpool ace Steven Gerrard as England's biggest threat.

Klose says they're more wary of Gerrard than Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

Klose told the Daily Star Sunday: “I personally like Steven ­Gerrard as a player. In many ways I see him as more ­important than Wayne Rooney as he can create everything for England in the ­middle of the park.”

Klose, 32, who won the Golden Boot at the 2006 World Cup, knows all about Rooney as he plays for Bayern Munich, who beat Manchester United over two legs in the Champions League semi-finals in March and April.

And he said: “I know a lot of hope is on Wayne Rooney for the England team but we won't give him any special attention. Yes he is a good player and we will mark him like we would any good player – but we won't be doubling-up on him or ­anything like that."

DIC Return To Negotiating Table With Liverpool

Dubai International Capital are again in takeover talks with Liverpool.

The Sunday Express says while managing director Christian Purslow has been concentrating on finding Rafa Benitez’s successor, chairman Martin Broughton has been focused on attracting buyers to take over from George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

One of Broughton’s tasks has been to knock down Hicks’ claims that the Americans were looking for £800million.

He has been in advanced talks with parties in the Middle East, including Dubai International Capital, and believes a deal could be done for £500m.

Fernando Torres Still A Dangerman, Says Spain Coach Vicente Del Bosque

Fernando Torres has yet to hit top form in the World Cup but Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque insists the Liverpool striker is still a major threat.

Torres had to play catch-up with regards to his preparations for the World Cup after missing the majority of Spain’s build-up having undergone knee surgery in April.

His only appearance in the warm-up matches came during Spain’s final friendly against Poland, and although he managed to score in a 6-0 win in that match, he has failed to get off the mark in three games in South Africa.

But Del Bosque said: “What’s important is that he’s played in the three games and has progressed in his preparation.

“He’s a player who, even though he hasn’t scored goals, he benefits us as someone who makes it hard for opposing defences and who is always a threat to the other team. He’s a very dangerous player.”

Torres himself admits he is not yet back to full fitness, saying: “I’m still lacking a bit – it’s not easy to return after an operation.

“I think I’m still a little away from being 100%, although I’m close.”

Spain face Portugal tomorrow, and Torres said: “We’re ready for whatever comes. We are where we wanted to be, living the opportunity that we dreamed of.

“We only need to look ahead, be optimistic, positive and show the people what we are capable of. We have confidence in ourselves.

“We’ve all seen the level that this team have and we know we haven’t reached that yet.”

Liverpool Prepared To Sell Kuyt

Liverpool are prepared to sell Dirk Kuyt.

The Daily Star Sunday says the word from within Anfield is that Kuyt, in Holland’s team at the World Cup, is for sale.

The new boss at ­currently managerless Liverpool – ­expected to be Fulham’s Roy Hodgson – could reverse that decision.

But there is a feeling that the manager-elect has already sanctioned the sale of Kuyt, 29.

The versatile Kuyt has been at Anfield for four years. He joined from Feyenoord for £10million after scoring 71 goals in 101 games.

And Liverpool are hoping to receive £8m from his sale.

England And Liverpool FC Captain Steven Gerrard Anticipates Changes After World Cup Exit

Skipper Steven Gerrard expects there to be changes in the England squad for the Euro 2012 campaign but he has urged Fabio Capello to remain as manager.

The chances of the so called 'Golden Generation' to win a major tournament may have ended after England were beaten 4-1 in their World Cup second round match by Germany in Bloemfontein. #

The likes of Gerrard, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Emile Heskey are already over 30 while David James will be 40 in August.

"Everyone in the dressing room is hurting, the coaching staff and the players.

"We'll go away in the summer and analyze things personally and the team," said Gerrard.

"We'll have to see what the future holds. We've got an experienced team and players who are getting on.

"I'm sure they'll be changes by the time the next tournament comes around. But they're questions you'll have to ask the manager."

As for Capello's future, Gerrard said: "I'm sure Fabio will stay and he'll address his own situation very soon.

"I don't know when. Personally I'd like him to stay as I think he's a fantastic manager but that's my opinion."

Gerrard refused to lay the blame for England's failure down to the match officials not allowing a 38th minute equalizer when Frank Lampard's shot had clearly crossed the goal-line.

He said: "If you look at the game as a whole we've been beaten by the better team. At 2-1 if Frank's goal would have counted it could have been a turning point in the game, but we can't use that as an excuse.

"They've scored four goals and we only got one, which tells it's own story.

"We made too many mistakes as a team. Germany were more organized than us and were more clinical. They got in five or six times and scored four goals so you've got to give them credit. Germany was the better team over the 90 minutes, but even at 2-0 and 2-1 I had confidence we could win the game. The third goal was the killer."

Gerrard: No Excuses

Steven Gerrard refused to use the excuse of England's wrongly disallowed goal as the main reason behind their World Cup exit at the hands of Germany on Sunday afternoon.

The Three Lions suffered their worst ever defeat in a World Cup as Joachim Loew's side progressed to the quarter-finals after a 4-1 win.

However, at 2-1 down the major talking point was Frank Lampard's disallowed effort, which television replays showed clearly crossed the line.

While the skipper admitted the decision was hard to take, he acknowledged that Fabio Capello's side was not good enough on the day.

"There were big key decisions in the game, at 2-1 we had a goal disallowed," said Gerrard.

"At 2-1 we were hurting them and we were still in the game.

"I think it (the disallowed goal) had an effect but we cannot use that as an excuse with being beaten 4-1.

"That would have been a big goal for us. It's all ifs and buts. Germany are a fantastic team and they deserved their win.

"You go away and you have a think about what went wrong and why we didn't progress further in the tournament.

"As a team we've made a big mistake today and we've been beaten by a good team.

"They were more clinical in front of goal and they made fewer mistakes than us and we got punished for that today."

Frustration For Reds Ace

There was frustration for Liverpool FC's racer James Walker as car problems ruined his chances to make a real impression during round five of Superleague Formula in Nurburgring, Germany, on Sunday.

After a top six finish in the first race, Walker's luck ran out when he was forced to pull into the pits after the parade lap with a compressor failure.

He battled on bravely but was forced to retire soon after as his mechanical team couldn't find a way to fix the problem.

Despite the disappointment, Walker stays in eighth place in the Superleague Formula Championship.

After suffering brake trouble during Saturday's qualifier, he showed his true qualities in the first race when he finished sixth.

Meanwhile, AC Milan's hopes of winning the 2010 Superleague Formula by Sonangol title took a significant boost in Nurburgring, as the Italian Serie A giants scored maximum points in race one, thanks to a faultless drive from their Dutch star Yelmer Buurman.

In race two Alvaro Parente claimed victory for FC Porto after holding off a late-race challenge from Bordeaux's Franck Montagny.

Incredibly Chris van der Drift gave Greek club Olympiacos its second Super Final victory in seven days as the young New Zealander produced another superb performance.

Having scooped the €100,000 prize for winning the five-lap dash-for-the-cash in Jarama last weekend, van der Drift repeated the feat in Germany thanks to a brilliant start from fourth which saw him dive down the middle of front row starters AC Milan and Galatasaray into the lead.

Dirk Kuyt Warns He Will Show No Mercy To Liverpool Teammate Martin Skrtel

Dirk Kuyt has warned his Liverpool team-mate Martin Skrtel that nothing is going to stop Holland storming into the World Cup quarter-finals.

Kuyt comes face to face with his Anfield pal when the Dutch take on Slovakia in Durban on Monday.

'We have a lot of confidence now because not only have we won all our qualifying games but all our games in the group stage as well,' said Kuyt.

'We can still do a lot better. Martin is a fantastic defender but I'll be ready for him. I already played against Daniel Agger in the group and we beat his Denmark team.

'It's a bit strange because you're used to training every day with each other, playing every game with each other, and now we play against each other.

'But that's the World Cup. The best players are here and we have to make the best of it and I think we will do well.'

Didier Deschamps To Snub Liverpool As He Plans To Extend Marseille Stay

Olympique de Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has declared that he is hoping to stay in charge of the French club in the future.

The retired midfielder has been linked with the Liverpool hot-seat after masterminding Marseille's league success in his first year at the helm of the club.

Goal.com UK revealed earlier today the Reds had turned to Deschamps after negotiations with Fulham boss Roy Hodgson hit a brick wall.

However, Deschamps has revealed he is not seeking a move away from OM and stressed he has already begun talks with the club's hierarchy to prolong his stay.

"We have held discussions," Deschamps told La Provence. "I am happy at OM, I am not there for just one year. A coach must be there for the long haul, and that is my wish."

Anfield Is Ready For Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson will be appointed Liverpool’s new boss in time to welcome some of the players back for pre-season training on Friday.

It is believed the majority of Liverpool’s senior players are happy with Hodgson’s impending arrival, but they won’t be back at Anfield until the end of July following a break after the World Cup.

While managing director Christian Purslow has been concentrating on finding Rafa Benitez’s successor, chairman Martin Broughton has been focused on attracting buyers to take over from George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

One of Broughton’s tasks has been to knock down Hicks’ claims that the Americans were looking for £800million.

He has been in advanced talks with parties in the Middle East, including Dubai International Capital, and believes a deal could be done for £500m.

Kuyt Reveals Reds Doubts

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has admitted he is unsure where his future lies after rumours suggested he could be about to leave the club.

The Dutchman - currently on duty with his national team at the World Cup finals - has been linked with a move to Serie A side Inter Milan.

Any switch for the front man to Italy would see him work under Rafa Benitez, who left Liverpool in the close season after six years at the helm to take over the job vacated by Jose Mourinho.

The Reds have yet to announce the Spaniard's successor, leaving Kuyt in limbo and unsure as to where he will be plying his trade next season.

"I'm just focusing myself on the World Cup," said the 29-year-old.

"I still have a long-term contract with Liverpool and I'm just focused on the World Cup. What happens at Liverpool, we'll see.

"I haven't spoken to him (Benitez). I've had a few text messages but they were more like 'good luck for the games' and 'well done'."

Benitez's exit from the Anfield hotseat has led to uncertainty over several of Liverpool's star names, including captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres.

Equal doubt remains over who will be managing the Merseysiders next season, as reports suggest Roy Hodgson, Frank Rijkaard and Didier Deschamps are the key contenders to land the position.

The financial situation also adds to the turbulence and Kuyt refused to rule out making an exit after seeing the man who brought him to the club also leave.

Kuyt was a £9million buy from Feyenoord in 2006 under Benitez and the player conceded the managerial position - as well Liverpool's ability to mix it in the transfer market - could be prevailing factors in his decision.

When asked about a move to Inter to link up with Benitez, Kuyt said: "We have to see what happens. I also have a great time at Liverpool and I still have a two-year contract."

He added: "My focus is on the World Cup but I'm still happy to play at Liverpool. But who knows what happens in the future? We have to see.

"If the possibility is there...we have to see what happens with the new manager at Liverpool. Hopefully we'll get new players but we'll see what the future is for me."

Inter To Offer Cambiasso To Liverpool In Mascherano Deal

Inter Milan are willing to offer Esteban Cambiasso to Liverpool as a makeweight to sign Javier Mascherano.

The Treble winners are expecting to sell Brazilian full-back Maicon to Real Madrid for some €28-30 million in the coming days, and Inter boss Rafa Benitez’s want to use the available cash to snap up the Argentine hard-man.

However, Inter Milan are not prepared to meet the £30-million asking price for Mascherano, and will offer the Anfield outfit Cambiasso in a bid to get Liverpool to drop their demands.

Barcelona are also apparently interested in 26-year-old Mascherano as a replacement for Manchester City-bound Yaya Toure.

Although Liverpool are expected to allow Mascherano to leave, the club's managing director, Christian Purslow, has said that no one will go anywhere until the new yet-to-be-appointed manager gives his approval. Cambiasso, 29, was left out of Diego Maradona’s World Cup squad but he is still considered to be a top-class central midfielder.

His contract at Inter expires in 2013, and he is valued at € 15M-20M.

Inter Milan Boss Rafa Benitez Wants Agger, Lucas And Johnson

Newly installed Inter Milan boss is rumoured to be planning an audacious triple Anfield swoop as he looks to make his own mark on his San Siro squad. The former Liverpool boss is also worried that a number of his Champions League winning side may head to Real Madrid to re-join Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu and is therefore looking to the Merseyside club for potential additions.

The Spaniard is also looking to help reverse the ageing look of the Serie A side and after six years at the Anfield helm he is understandable well aware of the talents some of his former charges possess. With Brazilian right back Maicon supposedly set for a move to Real Madrid Rafa is hoping to persuade England man Glen Johnson to leave the financially stricken Premier League side to join him in Italy.

He also hopes to bring Danish international centre back Daniel Agger and Brazilian midfielder Lucas to the club and believes that the period of uncertainty may make potential purchases a distinct possibility. Benitez will be handed a large transfer budget in the hopes that he can continue the fine work Mourinho was doing at the Milan giants.

Christian Purslow has insisted that no player will be sold until a new boss is brought in and that may be when Benitez decides to make his interest known officially. The trio cost Liverpool a combined total of £29.8m but could not command a far higher valuation but the Italian club are reportedly financially well off enough to make bids that could well persuade Messrs Tom Hicks and George Gillett consider a sale.

The Little Boy Who Met Torres

When Rameez Mahomed entered the McDonald's player escort program, he didn't realize it would lead to his meeting his soccer hero, Fernando Torres.

The little boy from Johannesburg was one of 23 children who escorted the Spanish and Honduras players on to Ellis Park on Monday.

Cameras trained on Torres captured the Spanish talisman as he struck up a conversation with Rameez, 10. The two were pictured conversing animatedly from inside the tunnel.

Rameez said holding Torres's hand was something he had been hoping for ever since he was told he would be an escort, but he never dreamt it would happen.

"The players came out and they were all mixed up. I was standing third in the line and I was supposed to be holding Sergio Ramos's hand. Then I felt someone grab my hand and I looked up and it was Torres."

Rameez says the Spanish striker initiated the conversation by asking him his name and from there they continued talking about a range of topics, including Torres's nickname, his boots and Rameez's soccer knowledge and traded questions about each other's hairstyles.

The Grade 4 pupil at King Edward V Preparatory School, said he began to "have a feeling" that he would be the one to hold the hand of the iconic player.

"While we were on the bus I started to feel nervous. I thought, my dream is going to come true."

A fan of English premiership side Liverpool as well as Spain, Rameez said he took the opportunity to ask Torres a burning question - would he leave Liverpool for Manchester City next season?

"He told me he would never go to Manchester City because his heart was with Liverpool and also because he gets along well with Steven Gerrard."

Rameez's mother, Sabera, said she was stunned to see her son walking out with Torres. "He idolises Torres. As a mother, to see that, it was really an overwhelming moment. My hands were shaking so badly you can see it on the video I took," she said.

The little boy said he wasn't at all nervous. "I wasn't nervous, I was just excited to be holding the hand of one of the best players in the world and not only the best, but my favourite as well."

Ace Dreaming Of German Glory

There was mixed fortunes for Liverpool's racing maestro James Walker during Saturday's Superleague Formula qualifying in Nurburgring, Germany.

Things were looking promising for our racer until brake trouble on the car hindered his progress in the final qualifying round.

The Reds ace had been in impressive form during first round of qualifying when he was third quickest in Group A, only to then suffer a brake problem in the quarter-final showdown.

AS Roma will start in pole position for Sunday's glamour race and French driver Julien Jousse beat the in-form Chris van der Drift (Olympiacos) in the quarter final and Yelmer Buurman (AC Milan) in the knockout stages of qualifying.

He was then faster than Robert Doornbos of Brazilian giants Corinthians to get pole position.

Marseille Reveal Liverpool FC Approach For Manager Didier Deschamps

Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier has revealed Liverpool have approached him about the availability of manager Didier Deschamps.

The head of the Ligue 1 champions claims that Reds managing director Christian Purslow contacted him on Thursday to enquire over the prospect of taking the reins in the Anfield dugout.

Despite Fulham manager Roy Hodgson remaining the firm favourite to succeed Rafael Benitez, Dassier insists that Deschamps is the man that Liverpool really want but were turned away as the 41-year-old is not leaving the Stade Velodrome.

He said: "It's true, Liverpool's executive director, Christian Purslow, called me Thursday morning. He speaks French very well, is very polite.

"I was expecting his call because I had heard of Liverpool's interest in Didier. He asked me if I would allow him to meet Didier and (agent) Jean-Pierre Bernes.

"I replied that I would never forbid anyone from meeting whoever. I also kindly indicated to him that there wasn't the slightest chance for him to pinch our coach. Even in his dreams.

"With Didier, we have a trusting relationship. I hope he will commit himself to us for another year. I'm not worried.

"It's true also that Didier is flattered to see a great European club interested in him."

World Cup winner Deschamps is highly regarded as one of the best coaches on the continent and led Marseille to a French league and cup double in his first season in charge.

He has previously taken Monaco to the Champions League final in 2004 and Juventus to the Serie B title in 2007.

Benitez: The People Of Liverpool Are Fighters

Rafael Benitez has spoken for the first time about his departure from Liverpool on the day that bookies have shortened their odds on Fulham manager Roy Hodgson taking over from the Spaniard in the Anfield dugout.

Newly installed as coach of Inter Milan, Benitez described how the news of his pending exit was relayed to him while he was on holiday but made clear that he maintains utmost respect for the ‘amazing’ supporters of the Reds. Liverpool won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FA Cup during the six years Benitez was in charge on Merseyside in an era which also saw Steven Gerrard persuaded to commit his future to the club and the acquisition of the exceptional Fernando Torres.

A victim of an off-field power struggle which left the club struggling to match their rivals financially, Benitez left Liverpool after his worst season in charge at Anfield. The Reds finished in seventh place in the Premier League and suffered humiliatingly early exits from the FA Cup, League Cup and Champoins League before falling in the semi-final of the Europa League.

Speaking about his time on Anfield and his ambitions for the future, Benitez revealed:

"It was really sad [leaving]. I was on holidays so it was a surprise that everything was going on in this way, but at the end of the day it has to be like this because Christian Purslow now is in charge so he decided to do it in this way, and that's it.

"But you have to move forward. I always say to my family that we cannot complain too much and the people of Liverpool are fighters. When I came here I was fighting from the beginning until the end so now I have to do the same [with Inter]. I have to think about the future.

"Again, I will say that I was really pleased here and the fans were amazing but now I cannot stand up and just complain or thinking about the good memories. I have to move forward and do the best for my new club."

Liverpool FC's Faithful Daniel Agger Is An Equal On World Stage

WHEN there is so much negativity and misery hanging in the air, it is often easy to lose sight of the good things in life.

With the memory of the way Liverpool limped across the line last season still fresh and the club embroiled in a summer of upheaval, many supporters have a deep sense of foreboding about the forthcoming campaign.

But the close season provides a chance to take stock and, contrary to popular belief, it is worth remembering Rafa Benitez has not left behind a squad full of duds – you only have to count the number of Liverpool players at the World Cup to see that.

For starters, there are the Reds’ three English Lions Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson; Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina are with Spain and a brace of Argentineans, Maxi Rodriguez and Javier Mascherano.

Then you can throw into the equation Martin Skrtel (Slovakia), Dirk Kuyt (Holland), the soon-to-be-unveiled Milan Jovanovic (Serbia), Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Greece) and – last but by no means least – Daniel Agger.

Agger might have suffered crushing disappointment, when Denmark capitulated against Japan and tumbled out at the Group stages for the first time in their history, but his own form means he can fly back from South Africa with his head held high.

Mind you, similar sentiments applied when he trudged out of the KC Stadium on May 9 after Liverpool brought the curtain down on a season of woe with a dispiriting 0-0 draw at already relegated Hull City.

Though it is often said foreign players cannot fully appreciate the emotions felt by supporters, that theory does not really ring true; Liverpool’s recent history, after all, is littered with continentals who have a genuine feel for the club.

Torres and Reina, for example, are on the same wavelength as those who idolise them; similar sentiments applied to Xabi Alonso, Dietmar Hamann, Vladimir Smicer and Sami Hyppia.

Going further back, Agger’s compatriot Jan Molby, whose brogue is more Cantril Farm than Kolding, showed it was possible for a foreigner to become a local and Agger – in terms of his thoughts on the Reds – is cut from a similar cloth

Molby’s position as Liverpool’s greatest Dane, of course, remains safe for now but there is no doubt Agger has started to show in the last six months he can blossom into the Rolls Royce defender many hoped he would become.

Strong in the tackle, imperious on the ball, quick and blessed with the ability to read the game, Agger took his form to a different level in the final weeks of last season, making light of being asked to play as an auxiliary left-back.

Footballers notoriously do not like being moved from the position in which they feel most comfortable but Agger went without fuss, putting the needs of the club before his own – throughout April and May, he was a regular man of the match contender.

If that approach was impressive, so too were his words when he was asked to look into the future after he had played a starring role in Denmark’s 2-1 win over Cameroon in Pretoria last Saturday night.

“I have no thoughts about leaving Liverpool,” said Agger, when the subject of Benitez’s departure came around. “I have a four-year contract, I intend to stay and I want to stay, no matter who the manager is.

“Of course, I hope it’s a manager who believes in me. I will have to show what I can do, I know that. I like Liverpool as a club, I like Liverpool as a city and I have no reason to leave.

“And I think my team-mates feel the same way. Everybody knows that Liverpool is a big club, a great club. From the inside, I can tell you it’s a great club.”

Words can get lost in translation when players do interviews on foreign soil and some are aware they have a platform to speak their minds if they really want to, so for Agger to assume such a stance is significant.

It would be foolish to try and say things at Anfield are perfect but if others show the attitude Daniel Agger has displayed, the prospects of recovery will be all the greater.

Milan Jovanovic Will Prove His Passion By Signing Contract

It is doubtful there has ever been a transfer in Liverpool’s history that has rumbled on longer than Milan Jovanovic’s impending switch.

First spoken to in January, the Serbian striker has yet to dot the i’s and cross the t’s on the three-year contract that is waiting for him at Anfield, meaning some fans are becoming anxious over whether he will actually turn up at all.

Stories linking him with Inter Milan earlier this week set alarm bells ringing but it is worth pointing out that both Liverpool and Jovanovic are committed to completing the transfer.

Jovanovic – who once scored a penalty for Standard Liege that knocked Everton out of the UEFA Cup – will be a handy addition to the squad.

Rafael Benítez Blames Christian Purslow For Liverpool Exit

Rafael Benítez has blamed Liverpool's managing director, Christian Purslow, for his departure from Anfield and the club's financial problems for last season's dramatic downturn on the pitch.

The former Liverpool manager accepted a severance payment worth up to £6m to leave Anfield this month, following a miserable campaign that yielded a seventh-place finish in the Premier League and saw the club drop out of the Champions League for the first time in six years.

Benítez endured a fraught relationship with Liverpool's co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, during his final years at Anfield and the pair tried to replace him as manager with Jürgen Klinsmann. However, the new Internazionale coach said the man responsible for his exit was Purslow, who joined Liverpool in June last year and is now overseeing the search for the Spaniard's successor as manager.

"It was really sad," Benítez said when discussing his departure in an interview with Radio City today. "I was on holiday so it was a surprise that everything was going on in this way, but at the end of the day it has to be like this because Christian Purslow is now in charge and he decided to do it in this way. That is it. It is really sad but you have to move forwards. I said to my family that we cannot stay talking too much or complain too much; we have to move forwards.

Roy Hodgson is expected to become the club's next manager once the terms of his departure from Fulham and contract at Anfield have been resolved, but Benítez said the problems of last season will not be eradicated simply by his exit. "It's strange. This year everything changed from the beginning," he said.

"People in the club changed and the approach to everything was different. Clearly it was a question in the beginning of controlling the money we could spend or not, and everything was different to the past. We were so close to winning the title the year before that everybody was expecting something more but we couldn't do it. We had some problems from the beginning with injuries and some performances, and there was a little bit of frustration. At the end the atmosphere was different and we can see now during the summer that the fans are not very happy."

Benítez kept open the possibility of a return to Merseyside, insisting he has no plans to sell his house in Wirral. He added: "I can guarantee one thing – I will not sell my house. It is our home and we will come back. I don't know when but we will come back for sure."