Mark Gonzalez Axed From LiverpooL??

Mark Gonzalez admits he could be leaving Liverpool either permanently or on loan, after the Champions League Final.

The 22-year-old Chile international has struggled to come to terms with the Premiership after his arrival last summer from a loan spell at Real Sociedad caused by a year-long battle for a work permit.

It is believed Real Betis and several other Spanish clubs are interested in Gonzalez, with boss Rafael Benitez considering the winger's future.

Gonzalez said: "I have a three-year contract but you never know what might happen.

"This is football and if I have to go somewhere else then I will have to deal with that, but at the moment I'm here and I'm very focused for the final and what happens in the future will come.

"If I have to go then I will go, but I will arrive there with confidence because I have been at Liverpool and I must have been there for something.

But he added: "I would like to stay at Liverpool next season and beyond. But it has not been the best year for me and I know I can do more."

LiverpooL Chasing After Darren Bent?

According to the London Evening Standard, Liverpool have entered the "race" to sign Darren Bent from Charlton Athletic. The paper says that the England international's club have now put a £15m fee forward as their valuation for the player, who'll be keen to leave after Charlton were relegated to the Championship.

The paper also says that Spurs and West Ham are in the running for the player, and that they believe he would prefer a move to Spurs. Of course West Ham are still effectively under threat of relegation, although that seems unlikely now despite potential legal action being considered by Sheffield United.

Charlton's attitude is that despite their relegation they will not accept a low fee for the player, meaning they want Tottenham to go away and reconsider their reported £10m bid for the striker and West Ham their reported £12m bid. In fact it's possible that the link with Liverpool has come about because Charlton want to see both clubs up their bids, in what is now going to be a typical game of summer transfer poker.

Chances are Charlton couldn't afford to keep Bent with the drop in their income, but Bent isn't obliged to leave. He can choose any of the clubs that come in for him then dig his heels in waiting for the move he wants - the way Michael Owen was meant to do two years ago when leaving Real!

Charlton were reported to have turned down a bid of £18m from West Ham in January during a spending spree to try and stave off relegation. Charlton did not want to assist one of their main rivals in the fight to avoid the drop hence their decision not to accept an offer that’s unlikely to be matched. With Liverpool supposedly added to the list of interested clubs both London sides need to decide if they believe the links, then need to make a bid closer to what would be their final offer.

It's no secret that Rafa is looking to buy new strikers, with Robbie Fowler certainly leaving and Craig Bellamy looking almost certain to go, but if Rafa has £15m to spend on Bent then he’s got £15m to spend on one of those targets from overseas that he’s more interested in.Bent scored 13 times for Charlton this season.

LiverpooL Skipper Set To Pen New Deal

Steven Gerrard has told Liverpool's chiefs it's "in your own hands now" as he prepares to commit the rest of his career to Anfield.

The Liverpool skipper flew out with his team-mates to La Manga for a five-day training camp ahead of the Champions League final, admitting he was ready and willing to sign a new deal once it has been cleared by the club.

The 26-year-old, who has two years left on his current deal, wants to "sign for the best years of my career" and is hoping the new five-year deal, worth a reported £120,000 a week, can be concluded ahead of next week's date with AC Milan in Athens.

Gerrard said: "I'm coming up to 27-years-old now and hopefully I can sign a long-term deal that will see me having the best days of my career at Liverpool.

"Obviously it is all about whether you are good enough to be in the starting 11, but that is what I intend to happen now for the best years of my career.

"It is all now up to Rick Parry (chief executive) and the American people, and (manager) Rafa (Benitez), when it actually happens."

Gerrard, along with Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, Steve Finnan and Jose Reina, have all been in talks over new contracts.

Now Gerrard says: "I will be in La Manga now for the rest of the week at our training camp, but my advisors will be holding more talks to sort out the last details.

"I have told the club I want to stay and it is all now in the club's hands."

He added: "Talks are progressing well, and I am ready to sign a new contract any time. It is just around the corner.

"You will have to ask Rick and the Americans when it is going to be done, I am not exactly sure but I am ready to sign as soon as the contract is put in front of me."

Gerrard, Carragher and co are now in Spain, for Benitez's intense preparation, which will also include training to acclimatise the players to playing late in the evening, with the final starting at 9.45pm Greek time and due to end close to midnight.

Carragher said: "When we played AC Milan in 2005, everything about the game was new to us really.

"We'd played in big games before, but that was obviously the biggest of all our careers. There's a long build-up before the final, but it's always useful when you've been through it all once before.

"If you're not careful the occasion can just pass you by, and in the first half two years ago there was a possibility of that happening. This time nothing can take us by surprise.

"Everything we went through can only help us, and even the fact we're playing a side we know a lot about can be an advantage to ourselves as well as Milan."

He added: "After what happened in Istanbul, we also know if the worst comes to the worst and we go a goal down, or even 2-0 down, no-one will think the game is over. What happened in the last game is sure to be in everyone's mind no matter what the situation.

"We know what can happen in a final, although obviously we'd prefer to get our noses in front this time. We definitely don't want to make things as difficult for ourselves."

Benitez Looking For Winning Combinations

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits he is fully intent on making the Reds genuine Premiership contenders next term.

Liverpool matched last season's third-place finish with a scrappy 2-2 draw at home to relegated Charlton on Sunday.

And on Tuesday they head to La Manga in southern Spain for a five-day training camp ahead of the May 23 Champions League final with AC Milan in Athens.

But Benitez knows that with the major influx of money from new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett available this summer Liverpool must make a far better fist of their title challenge next time around.

Liverpool finished 21 points behind champions Manchester United and Benitez know that is not good enough.

"I am happy we finished third - it was the same as last season - but obviously we want to go better than that next season," he said.

"We aim to be contenders and we know we must improve, especially in our away form.

"I feel, though, that it is maybe only one or two games that make the difference. When you play against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal you must beat them."

Liverpool have got a shocking record in league matches against the big four rivals and that has again cost them dearly.

Benitez said: "If we can achieve improved results against the best sides that will make us very much closer to the top of the table.

"That in turn gives you a different approach to games; when you are 12 points behind maybe you think things are not possible.

"I have said all along that we are a better squad but other teams also spend money on new players and we must try also to improve the team. We must be closer and we must be contenders."

LiverpooL 2 - 2 Charlton

Robbie Fowler did not quite get the farewell Anfield game he wanted but relegated Charlton certainly headed into the Championship with some pride.

They led twice at Anfield through Matt Holland and Darren Bent, and only a goal from Xabi Alonso and a late penalty from Harry Kewell denied them an unexpected chance of victory.

For Fowler, taken off two minutes from time to allow him to have a standing ovation, the chance of that penalty - which he would have taken - fell to Kewell a minute later.

But Fowler still got all the praise he deserved after a goal-studded career, but Liverpool clearly had Athens and the Champions League final on their minds.

They got their own standing ovation from their lap of honour, boss Rafael Benitez's name ringing from the Kop.

But it was Fowler's day and he came back out after the parade for a solo ovation.

Fowler was named captain for his last Liverpool appearance at Anfield before his contract runs out in the summer, while on-loan Italian 'keeper Daniele Padelli made his debut, with both Jose Reina and Jerzy Dudek injured.

Kewell was on the bench while Bolo Zenden was given another chance in midfield to make his claim for a place in the Champions League Final on May 23.

Charlton defender Ben Thatcher returned following a ban, but Talal El Karkouri missed the South Londoners' last game before relegation with a foot problem.

Centre-half Madjid Bougherra made his full debut for the Addicks, and with on-loan Scott Carson unable to play against his parent club, Darren Randolph made his debut in goal.

The match was preceded by a noisy protest outside the main stand by Liverpool fans over the club's ticket allocation and distribution system for the European final. And there were banners on the Kop making the same point.

But the chanting to honour Fowler soon took over, only to be silenced when Charlton took a shock lead.

Zheng Zhi got the ball in from the right, and Matt Holland saw a stabbed shot clip Javier Mascherano, with Padelli beaten by the six-yard effort.

Alvaro Arbeloa should have equalised on seven minutes when Bougherra slipped trying to control a Jamie Carragher through ball. The Spanish defender ran on unopposed into the box, but put his shot wide from 12 yards.

Liverpool were dreadful, and Charlton got into a dangerous position again on 15 minutes, Darren Bent setting up Darren Ambrose, but the midfielder sliced wide.

It got worse for Arbeloa when he scooped another chance over the bar after Fowler had dummied a Zenden cross from the left.

Fowler scooped the ball over on the turn after 20 minutes, and Steven Gerrard saw a dipping effort following a Zenden free-kick also just clear the bar.

Liverpool's sloppy defending continued and Bent again got himself in a good position on the right, before squaring the ball across goal and away from the advancing Padelli. But Alex Song managed to send in a weak shot from eight yards that Steve Finnan deflected wide.

Gerrard, at least, was trying to take this game seriously and he ran strongly from half-way before presenting Dirk Kuyt with a chance from 18 yards, Randolph saving to his right.

There were more ovations for departees at the break, Dudek and youth team boss Steve Heighway, while Liverpool's FA Youth Cup winners paraded their trophy.

But it was Charlton a minute after the break who should have scored again, Zheng Zhi clean through but shooting hopelessly wide.

Charlton sent on Bryan Hughes for Ambrose after 51 minutes, and playing with a freedom not seen during their desperate battle for survival.

Six minutes later Kewell got into the fray, a direct replacement for Zenden, the battle between the pair to play in Athens clearly on.

Zheng Zhi then proceeded to miss with a six-yard header from Luke Young's cross. Liverpool then sent on Xabi Alonso for Arbeloa.

And Liverpool's two substitutes were involved in the 62 minute equaliser. Kewell crossed from the left, Kuyt headed down and Alonso lazily drove the ball home from 10 yards.

But Liverpool were soon behind again, this time when Thatcher's effort was half-stopped by Padelli, Bent crashed the ball home.

Randolph saved well from Kewell, Liverpool at last finding some urgency. Mascherano shot just over ahead of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's 81st-minute arrival for Charlton as a substitute for Lloyd Sam.

Fowler, twice, almost scored. Once he was stopped in his tracks by Bougherra when clear, and then he hooked over a Kewell cross.

With two minutes left, Fowler was given the chance to take a standing ovation when he was replaced by Peter Crouch. Anfield rose to their hero, Benitez likewise.

Sixty seconds later Bougherra handled in the box, but with Fowler now departed and losing the chance of a fairy-tale ending to his Anfield career, it fell to Kewell to fire the penalty home off a post.

By: Paul Walker, PA Sport

LiverpooL Penetrates China Market

Liverpoolfc.tv, the new media arm of Liverpool Football Club, has signed a deal with Premier Goals Limited as their web and mobile content partner for China. The deal paves the way for the launch of a local language website incorporating all the exclusive editorial and video content found at the Club website www.liverpoolfc.tv along with mobile services geared towards fans in China.

Stephen Michael, General Manager Liverpoolfc.tv Limited said "Liverpool seeks to form partnerships that enable the delivery of the wealth of official content we produce to the global fan-base. This deal will allow LFC fans in China to enjoy a wide range of terrific content from the heart of Anfield, bringing them closer to the team they love and immersing them in the terrific sense of history that surrounds LFC"

Liverpool FC is the most successful club in English football history with a passionate, loyal and global fan base. Playing at the famous Anfield stadium and led by Manager Rafael Benitez, LFC competes at the highest level in football. This year sees the club playing AC Milan in the Champion's League Final in Athens. The final gives Liverpool the chance for an unprecedented 6th European Cup and sees them face the same team as in their mesmerizing 2005 Champions League win.

Henrik Barck Co-founder & CEO PremierGoals Ltd "We are proud to become a partner of a historic and great Club like Liverpool and look forward working to increase the fan base as well as building the Clubs brand further. China, the world's fastest-growing market, is also one of the most complex for foreign suppliers to enter. Apart from our unique track record, local market awareness, and in-depth knowledge of football and global experience from New Media, PremierGoals also has the right team in place to guide and lead towards success. We strongly believe our team has the perfect mix of the requisite skills."

Commenting on the Chinese market, Henrik Barck adds: "The backdrop to PremierGoals decision to promote football in China is the country's explosive growth in Internet use. According to Internet worldwide statistics, there are currently, 137 million Internet users in China. Mobile phone users are at 480 million."

Courtesy of: Chris McMullan, Rivals.net

Benitez Ready To Offload Scott Carson

Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, recently announced that he will take into consideration should there be any ‘attractive’ offers for third choice keeper Scott Carson this summer despite the England Under-21 international's remarkable appearance this season in the Premiership at Charlton Athletic.

The custodian, who is on-loan at The Valley, has proven a atypical success in an otherwise disastrous season for relegated Charlton by being named as the supporters' Player of the Year and thus, reaffirming the potential that made Benitez to pay £750,000 for a player with only two league appearances at Leeds United in January 2005.

While the 21-year-old appears an incisive buy and Liverpool have only unproven back-up for the first choice goalkeeper, Jose Reina, there is also an approval that Carson will not displace the Spaniard in the near future, that his stock is now high among Premiership rival clubs and that the player himself is longing for regular football following this season's outing.

As a result, Benitez is prepared to endorse the keeper's exodus but it will require an offer of approximately £4m before Carson, who gained interest from Arsenal earlier this season, is permitted to leave.

LiverpooL Adds A Little "Samba"

Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez has completed his first summer signing through the transfer of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Pezzini Leiva in a deal worth £8million.

The 20-year-old is expected to join up with his new teammates from Brazilian outfit, Gremio at the end of their involvement in the ongoing Copa Libertadores. The Porto Alegre side confirmed their place in the quarter-finals with a victory over Sao Paulo during the week.

Lucas Pezzini Leiva or better known as Lucas, was playing as a holding midfielder for his club and captains the Under-21 national side. In addition, he won the best player award in Campeonato Brasileiro 2006 and was recently called up to the Brazilian national team by Dunga, the Brazilian head coach.

Rafa Thinking Of Fielding Best Side

Ahead of this season’s final match on Sunday, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is pondering on the thoughts of bringing in his first eleven against Charlton Athletic at Anfield.

According to the Spaniard, he could utilize this match to keep his players sharp ahead of the Champions League final on May 23.

However, Malian international Momo Sissoko will almost definitely be left out of the side through injury while first choice keeper, Jose Manuel Reina has yet to assume full training following a knock sustained against Fulham last weekend.

Furthermore, Benitez mentioned that the club will do some final assessment on Reina’s situation in training and then decide if Reina should play for full 90 minutes.

Although the game will not be any significance to the Merseyside club , Benitez’s objective is to finish off the season in third place, ahead of Arsenal who is playing Portsmouth.

Liverpool fury over tickets for CL final

Liverpool recently lodged a complaint to UEFA regarding their ticket allocation for the Champions League final but was informed later that the given number of seats will remain the same.

Earlier on, the Premiership club has been awarded 17,000 seats for the clash with AC Milan at the 63,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Athens on May 23.

As a result, a huge black market for tickets has been emerging with prices in excess of £1,000 being exhibited on some agency websites.

In addition, Liverpool has been receiving continuous criticism from their own fans for their methods of distribution, as most have made early travel arrangements only to be informed they will not qualify for a ticket.

Nevertheless, Liverpool Football Club understands and shares the disappointment of their fans in what is a very uncomfortable condition.

This season, Liverpool has been operating sort of a fancard policy whereby supporters have the opportunity to earn a point for each European game attended this season - or more accurately, ticket bought.

Specifically, those with over seven points qualified while those with less will be entered into a ballot.

Liverpool previously was allocated approximately 20,000 tickets for the final in Istanbul two years ago but it is estimated about 40,000 fans gained access.

Voronin eager to start off with a 'bang'

Upcoming Liverpool player Andriy Voronin is optimistic that he can follow the example of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and make an impact in the Premiership next season.

The Ukraine World Cup striker will begin a four-year contract at Anfield in the summer after agreeing a free transfer from German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

The 27-year-old has spent most of his professional career in Germany since moving to Borussia Moenchengladbach from hometown club Chornomorets Odessa as an 18-year-old.

After that, Voronin was transferred to Mainz and Cologne before donning the Leverkusen jersey in 2004, where he has scored 11 goals in 27 starts this season.

In addition, the forward believes his experience in the Bundesliga and the Continental influence to Liverpool’s style of football will help him get used to life in the hustle and bustle of the Premiership.

Meanwhile, young Liverpool defender Danny O’Donnell is poised to leave the club once the transfer market reopens in the summer.

The 21-year-old spent the season on loan at Crewe Alexandra, and Liverpool have given the Coca-Cola League One team permission to speak to the player over a permanent move to Gresty Road.

However, Liverpool appears to have missed out on signing potential hotshot James McCarthy after his agent stated that the 16-year-old midfielder will remain at Hamilton Academical.

Liverpool set for place in the sun

Rafael Benitez will take his Liverpool squad to a Spanish training camp ahead of their Champions League final to get them acclimatised.

Liverpool will fly out on Tuesday afternoon, straight after they have taken part in a media open day at Anfield.

Although full details are not certain yet, they are expected to be in Benitez's homeland for five days, returning the next weekend before they then fly to Athens on the following Monday morning ahead of the May 23 clash with AC Milan.

And it is possible that both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher will have signed new contracts before the training trip.

There have been more negotiations this week and it seems that only minor details now need to be ironed out.

Benitez said: "I hope it may be done this week, but we are talking and we are sure it will be done soon."

And Benitez brushed aside fears of potential problems from another training camp, following the incidents that occurred when he took his squad to Portugal ahead of the Champions League victory in Barcelona back in February.

Then Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise were involved in the alleged 'golf club incident' that ended with several players being fined by the club for breaking curfew.

Benitez said: "We still have to finalise the details, but it is likely we will go away for five days to prepare after we play Charlton.

"When we did this before the Barcelona game it had a positive impact, although I know people talked about other things in the end.

"The most positive thing is we can work together in a climate and in conditions which will be more like those we will face in the final."

He added: "I know people will mention that (the Portugal incident) again, but it is not an issue. We are thinking only about doing the right things to prepare the players for the final."

Both goalkeeper Jose Reina and midfielder Mohamed Sissoko are likely to be left out of the final-day clash with relegated Charlton.

Reina has not trained since injuring his shoulder against Fulham last weekend, although a scan has shown there is no serious damage.

But Benitez is unlikely to risk the Spanish international in what is now a meaningless game, although Reina will be fit for the European final.

Jerzy Dudek could be in goal for what will be his final farewell to Anfield before his contract runs out in the summer.

Sissoko has a knee problem from the same game at Craven Cottage and is more of a problem, but he is also expected to recover to be in the squad against Milan.

Benitez has big dilemma

RAFA BENITEZ has some big decisions to make in the next week or so.

Of course, the priority is the make-up of his team for the Champions League final against AC Milan.

But the dilemma for Sunday’s home finale against Charlton is: Does he pick a ‘squad’ team, or does he play some of the stars who will face the Italians, and risk injury?

While the Reds will want to finish third, it’s not the end of the world if they don’t and relegated Charlton will have pride to play for but little else.

In fact, if the truth be known, it’s a fixture Benitez could probably do without, but the manager also has to face the difficult decision of whether he plays skipper Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher for at least part of the game.

Both players missed the defeats at Portsmouth and Fulham. They are absolutely crucial to the outcome of the Athens showdown, so the risks of them playing might outweigh the benefits. But, come May 23, it would mean that the pair had not played a competitive game for three weeks – since the win over Chelsea.

The two recent defeats were disappointing and there is still work to be done to bridge the gap between the Reds and United and Chelsea.

That will be addressed during the summer but, overall, it’s been a more consistent season and Benitez has the complete backing of fans and the owners.

Finalists aim to set records straight

When Liverpool FC and AC Milan meet in the UEFA Champions League final on 23 May, they will have the chance to enter the record books for their respective countries as well as their clubs.

Currently Spain have won Europe's premier competition on eleven occasions, but with England and Italy one victory behind, one of the finalists can ensure that their nation joins Spain as the most successful in the tournament's history. Yet that is just one of the potential landmarks that have been thrown up by this second meeting in three finals of two footballing giants.

Milan's appearance in the final is a record 25th by an Italian team, five more than their nearest rivals Spain. But with only ten wins to date, reaching the showpiece has more often than not led to heartache for the country that holds the FIFA World Cup. The same logic does not, however, apply to the most successful club sides within those nations; Real Madrid CF have triumphed in nine of their 12 finals while Milan have prevailed in six out of ten.

England fall slightly behind their continental peers when it comes to final appearances and victories, though they tend to make bigger waves when they do contest the competition's climax. English teams have participated in 13 finals, eleven less than their Italian counterparts, yet they have the same number of wins. There is no better example of rising to the big occasion than Liverpool, who have lifted the trophy five times in six visits to the final.

Both coaches also know what it takes to prosper in the UEFA Champions League having guided their current sides to the ultimate prize once before. Carlo Ancelotti's men defeated Juventus on penalties in 2003 after a goalless draw, while Rafael Benítez's charges came from three goals down to win on spot-kicks against the Rossoneri two years ago. So with records available to both clubs, countries and managers, history really will be written when Liverpool and Milan renew acquaintances in Athens.

Benítez's men on £100,000 bonus to win European Cup

Liverpool's players stand to receive substantial bonuses amounting to £100,000 per man should they claim the club's sixth European Cup when they play Milan in Athens later this month.

The Merseysiders' new owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, will maintain the policy drawn up by David Moores' previous regime by making around £2.5m available to be split among the playing squad should Liverpool overcome the Rossoneri in Greece and claim their second Champions League in three seasons.

That will equate to around £100,000 a man, with the management staff, and Rafael Benítez in particular, also to benefit from a hefty bonus. Similarly generous financial rewards were offered to the playing squad two years ago when Liverpool overcame the same opposition in Istanbul.

Just as then, the club are simultaneously attempting to agree improved terms to a number of their first-team players - most notably Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher - though the contracts will most likely be finalised only on the team's return from Athens.

Benitez Eyes Gift Of Gaby

REAL ZARAGOZA defender Gaby Milito has pleaded for the chance to join Liverpool after they lined up a £10million player-plus-cash deal involving Mark Gonzalez.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is hoping to make it third time lucky after two previous bids for Argentine centre-half Milito were rejected.

Milito said: "This is my opportunity to join a big club in Europe. Liverpool have a Spanish coach, which is very important for me."

Reds ace's future at Anfield - Benitez

Rafa Benitez has told Xabi Alonso he still has a future at Liverpool despite being on the bench for the Chelsea Champions League clash.

The 26-year-old's omission from the starting XI for last week's semi-final second leg win at Anfield has seen more rumours surface about his future with the likes of Barcelona having shown an interest in taking the Spanish international back to his homeland this summer.

However, despite Javier Mascherano and Steven Gerrard securing the central midfield places, Benitez insists Alonso has a huge role to play at the club beyond this season.

Alonso managed to score from the spot in the penalty shoot-out win against Chelsea to help set up a Champions League final clash with AC Milan in Athens on May 23, while Momo Sissoko, who was dropped from the side altogether, has also been assured about his future.

Rafa in £12 million Argentinean swoop

Rafa Benitez is lining up a sensational £12 million raid on West Ham for striker Carlos Tevez even if the east London club avoid relegation from the Premiership.

The People newspaper claims that Tevez' business manager Kia Joorabchian met with Benetiz in a London hotel at the weekend to discuss a move for the player.

Tevez has played a key role in West Ham's recent revival but the rumours coming out of the club are that the original deal has left far too many wounds for all concerned for the player to remain at the club next season even if relegation is avoided.

That position leaves the door open for potential suitors for Tevez with Liverpool leading the chase having already done a deal for Javier Mascherano earlier in the year.

Liverpool will be mindful of the mistakes in the original deal that led to West Ham's £5.5 million fine and will be making sure any new deal is entirely in line with Premier League rules.

By Staff Writer - all3points