Mascherano Issues Call To Reds

Javier Mascherano wants Liverpool to start next season in the fine form they have shown towards the end of the current campaign.

The Reds have beaten Arsenal and Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League and won eight, drawn two and lost one of their last 11 Premier League games, including a derby victory over Everton.

Rafa Benitez's men have secured a spot in the Champions League next season, but despite their recent good run, poor league results in the early part of the campaign mean they are still 11 points adrift of the top spot.

And their most recent blow came as they were beaten in the Champions League semi-final by Chelsea midweek.

Midfielder Mascherano, however, is already looking ahead to next year and believes if they continue to play in the same way they will be in with a chance of winning silverware.

"Over the last two months we have gone very well in the Premier League and Europe," he told the Daily Star.

"We need to make sure we repeat it from the start of the season next time.

"We have the quality and the players who want to win and we will do everything we can to make it happen.

"Right now it is just so painful because we know we had a great chance to go all the way to the final again. We were up against a very good side.

"You have to take the positives from things and now that is all we can do."

He added: "At the moment I am very sad because we were so close to the final.

"We know we made some mistakes when it came to the Premier League earlier in the season.

"We need to lift ourselves and play to the end of the season, but what is very important is we make sure we start the next one in the right way.

"We need to make sure we play the way we have been doing for the past two or three months.

"If we can manage that, we will make the breakthrough and be fighting to win trophies."

Injury Boost For Liverpool's Benitez Ahead Of Sunday’s Clash v Manchester City As Torres, Kewell & Skrtel Train

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has received a major boost just before going into Sunday’s home match against Manchester City, with defender Martin Skrtel as well as striker Fernando Torres returning to training today.

Skrtel had to be replaced in the first-half itself during Wednesday's Champions League Semi Final loss to Chelsea after a clash with Didier Drogba.

Torres also made his way back to the bench during extra time after he started experiencing pain in his hamstring.

Australian winger Harry Kewell also made it to training after he recovered from a groin strain which he picked up during international duty last month.

"Kewell was training today, which is positive," said Benitez.

"Fernando was also training, Skrtel part of the training session and as you already knew, Agger and Fabio Aurelio are injured, so there is no bad news."

Plessis Eyes Anfield Debut

Liverpool midfielder Damien Plessis has revealed it would be a dream come true if he were to make his Anfield debut this weekend against Manchester City.

The Frenchman, in his first season at the club, has impressed hugely under Gary Ablett in the Reserves, helping them to the Premier Reserve League title for the northern division and a showdown with southern champions Aston Villa.

The 20-year-old was magnificent during his first-team debut away to Arsenal, and put in another promising performance against Birmingham City last week.

And Plessis is hungry to play in front of the Liverpool faithful at Anfield, and hopes he gets his chance before the end of the season.

"It would be a dream come true to get a chance to play in front of the Kop in a kind of mythical, famous stadium known all over the world," Plessis told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Since I first saw the Stadium when I signed for the club, I've always harboured a desire to play in front of that crowd. It's something I'm preparing for.

"I'm hoping I get the chance. It would be great to play in the game against Manchester City or the final match of the season away to Tottenham, but I've got to be patient and wait and see.

"I've got the reserve final against Aston Villa coming up next week, so I'm also looking forward to that."

Plessis was a surprise starter at the Emirates last month, so much so that viewers and pundits alike failed to recognise him when the television cameras caught sight of him in the tunnel.

Perhaps even more surprising was the quality of his performance, although avid followers of Liverpool’s seconds will have been quietly expectant of seeing the level of maturity, discipline, awareness, technique and passing skill he has displayed in the Reserves all season.

Plessis was both thrilled and shocked at his inclusion against the Gunners, and admits it was a great learning experience.

"It was fantastic news and obviously I was very, very happy to start," he said.

"I suppose it was the culmination of all the hard work that we put into a season and coming towards the end of it was great to see the fruit of all your efforts really and fantastic to have a chance to play in the first-team.

"I learned a lot from playing alongside the likes of Jamie Carragher, Lucas Leiva and Peter Crouch.

"You don't realise how fast the game is at that level and you can't miss a pass because there is no margin for error in the first-team.

"You've got to be concentrated for the whole 90 minutes and you see how hard they work, so it was good for me to learn from them."

The young Frenchman has already been likened to compatriot Patrick Vieira, and while Plessis is flattered by the comparison, he insists it is premature.

"I'm flattered obviously," said Plessis.

"He's had a long, fantastic career and I'm just starting out in the game - my career is short in comparison.

"But he's Patrick and I'm Damien and at the end of the day, I've got to make my own path in football and hopefully that's what I'll do and be known for my own ability."

Riise: I Have Nothing To Prove

John Arne Riise has revealed his annoyance that Liverpool have yet to offer him a new contract, insisting he has nothing to prove to Rafa Benitez.

The Norwegian left-back has a year remaining on his current deal at Anfield, but his future at the club decidedly uncertain after an indifferent season.

And the 27-year-old, a key contributor in Liverpool’s 2005 UEFA Champions League and 2006 FA Cup triumphs, has vented his frustration at being left in the dark after seven years of loyal service.

"I don't feel that I have been treated badly, but I think that the club should have said something since I've been here seven years," Riise told Dagbladet.

"I've won everything that we have won and I've played everything that's worth playing. It's up to the boss to decide.

"It's disappointing that everything is so tight, with one year left on my contract and I haven't heard anything."

Riise has been strongly linked with a move away from Merseyside, rumours which have only intensified following his horror own-goal against Chelsea that proved decisive in knocking Liverpool out of the Champions League.

Aston Villa and Newcastle United have declared interest in the former Monaco man, who admits he would be open to a move if Reds boss Rafa Benitez fails to clarify his position at the end of the season.

"I don't know what the manager thinks, no-one does," Riise said. "I don't think about moving on but something has to happen this summer.

"It's hard to say anything for sure but I will consider a switch to another club this summer.

"There's two games left of the season, and I can get my 350th game for Liverpool. That's 50 games a season almost, I have nothing to prove."

Liverpool Bid For Barry Gives O'Neill A Headache

Martin O'Neill faces a major test of his powers of persuasion after he confirmed that Liverpool have made an offer for Gareth Barry, the England international he has sought to build a team around. Liverpool's interest has been mooted for some time but the Villa manager is deeply upset that details of the bid, which values Barry at around £10m, have been leaked on Merseyside. More worrying for O'Neill, however, is that Barry is likely to be attracted to the prospect of moving to Anfield.

O'Neill, who has aspirations of breaking the big-four stranglehold, insisted that Villa are "not a feeder club" although he will also be aware that, at the moment, he cannot offer Barry the Champions League football he craves. Two years ago the Villa manager was able to persuade Barry to stay at the club, when the 27-year-old was on the verge of joining Portsmouth after becoming disillusioned with the previous regime but this time, with Liverpool in pursuit, the task appears more difficult.

Liverpool have offered cash plus players for Barry, although it highly unlikely that Peter Crouch's name, a Villa target, is among those made available. Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, would not comment on the offer for Barry yesterday but he did confirm that Crouch has been offered a new contract. The makeweights in the deal are more likely to include Scott Carson, who has been on loan at Villa this season, and John Arne Riise, who will leave Liverpool in the summer.

Neither player would be of great interest to O'Neill who, even if Crouch became available, would be reluctant to sacrifice Barry for the England striker. "Liverpool haven't made a straight cash offer," explained O'Neill. "They have made an offer involving a mishmash of nameless player exchanges. I'm particularly disappointed to hear that business is being conducted in public and I just want to be clear on this in that we're trying to build a side here and we're not a feeder club."

"We want to be trying to challenge," continued the Villa manager, whose side could move up to fifth with a victory over Wigan at Villa Park this afternoon. "At some stage we want to get to the position that this football club once held. That will demand an awful lot of effort. It will take a supreme effort and it will take very, very good players. I don't want to be in a position of letting really good players go. Gareth Barry is a really good player who still has two years left on his contract."

Villa will seek to improve Barry's current deal, something that was planned before Liverpool tabled their interest, although the talks will now need to focus on much more than a pay rise. Barry is expected to seek assurances that the club will recruit players capable of propelling the club into the top four and, even then, there can be no guarantee that he would reject the chance to join Liverpool.

"A couple of weeks ago Gareth said he would prefer to wait until the end of the season before we start discussing things and I think that would be the right thing to do," Villa's manager said. "It's particularly disappointing to find out that Liverpool have carried the story in their local paper. It's certainly not the way that the Liverpool of old conducted business. I prefer to do things with a bit or privacy and a bit of confidentiality. That's particularly disappointing, especially at this time."

O'Neill has played a key role in resurrecting Barry's career. The player's return to form coincided with O'Neill's arrival at the club, with Barry since going on to regain his England place and be touted as a future captain of his country.

Liverpool's Potential Line-up For 2008/9 Season

Liverpool's season is now over, the Premier League finish will be fourth (on a few more points than was needed to secure third last season) and there will be no consolations in the cups. A simple explanation of Liverpool's poor league showing (in a four horse race finishing fourth is poor) is that the first team can compete with anyone - but the back-up is inadequate.

Rafa Benitez has built a big squad at Anfield in his four years, but it is not quantity that is now needed but quality. If Liverpool move on ten fringe players in order to bring in four first-teamers a title challenge would have significantly more depth. The players that need to be moved on are easy to spot.

In goal Charles-Hubert Itandje has been given seven domestic cup games and has conceded goals against the likes of Cardiff, Luton, Havant and Barnsley; at 25 years-old he simply doesn't look good enough. In defence Sami Hyypia, like Didi Hamman before him, is now struggling, John Arne Riise is increasingly error prone and Steve Finnan's previously impeccable consistency has been undermined by niggling injuries. In midfield Harry Kewell will clearly be off this summer, with Sebastian Leto likely to join him. Up front Andriy Voronin is short of the required quality.

But those seven players are unlikely to generate much more than a nominal transfer pot; so players that are unsettled but plainly good enough may have to be considered. Peter Crouch is unhappy on the bench and is not pressuring Torres and doesn't really fit either of the two flanking roles - so is probably superfluous, the £10m he would generate is therefore great value. There must be a better right-sided midfielder available than Dirk Kuyt, who is willing but limited - but would still probably be worth £6m. Jermaine Pennant has not burst through at Anfield but would still yield a promising £7m. Scott Carson's value is probably somewhere around the £5m mark - but Liverpool need a decent understudy to Pepe Reina and there would be little value in selling and replacing.

The big potential sale is of course Xabi Alonso, who is regularly linked with a move to Spain; the continental sides don't tend to overpay for defensive midfielders (which was why Chelsea were able to buy Claude Makelele at his peak for barely £16m) so £15m would probably be the top price available - about the same that Gareth Barry could be acquired for.

So selling Alonso, Pennant, Kuyt, Crouch and six or seven fringe players would probably yield around £45m which if added to by £20m from the owners would give a transfer pot sufficient to land reinforcements in every major position: Daniel Alves to make a much needed progressive full-back, David Bentley and Gareth Barry would improve the midfield energy and creativity, a left-winger/striker like Roma's Mancini would encourage Babel and probably a young fourth striker could be bought and allowed to be brought through gradually.

The article is courtesy from SquareFootball.

_________________________________________________

Personally, I would prefer these players as Liverpool’s next season first eleven (should Benitez managed to buy them of course):

Formation: 4-3-3

GK – Reina
LB/LWB – Gareth Bale/Philip Lahm
RB/RWB – Dani Alves/Sergio Ramos
CB(left) – Agger/Skrtel
CB(right) – Carragher/Woodgate
CM(left) – Barry/Karim Benzema
DM – Mascherano/Yahya Toure
CM(right) – Gerrard/Alonso
LW – Babel/Downing
RW – Bentley/Lennon
ST – Torres/Bojan

Your views on this is highly appreciated. Thanks.

Redknapp: I Want Crouch, But He Won't Come

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has declared his admiration for Liverpool's want-away striker Peter Crouch, but doesn't believe he'll be able to land the player.

The 6'7 beanpole usually impresses when playing for Liverpool, but has never well and truly managed to win over manager Rafael Benitez, and finds it particularly hard to get in the team with the current system employing just one striker in Fernando Torres.

Though Benitez wishes to keep him as part of his squad, the player has voiced his concern at not playing regularly and regrettably feels he may have to leave.

Portsmouth manager Redknapp has stated his admiration for the player more than once in the past, and thus is being linked with a summer move for the player, who could join Jermain Defoe to form a potentially lethal all-English forward line.

"The problem is, we've moved on and we're not looking at players who can't get a regular game at their own clubs any more," explained Redknapp, explaining that Crouch may not be his primary target this summer.

"When I came back and we were struggling I took the three lads from Tottenham and they were fantastic for me, but they weren't getting a game there.

"Now, we've got so many good players, you're not looking for players who can't get in their own teams any more because we are a very good team."

So does that suggest Crouch is not good enough? Far from it, Redknapp continued: ''I love Crouchie, he's a terrific player, but I think there would be a lot of clubs in for him. In all honesty I don't see them letting him go, but you never know who they might bring in over the summer. Things might change."

Liverpool Doubts Over Stanley Park Stadium

Concern was growing on Merseyside last night over whether Liverpool's co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, will ever find the £300 million for the club's proposed new stadium.

With the season now effectively finished for Liverpool following Wednesday's exit from the Champions League, attention has turned to issues off the pitch and the battle for the club's future.

A fresh worry in Liverpool is that any delay on the new stadium in Stanley Park could threaten European funding for the wider economic regeneration of the Anfield area of the city. The new 71,000-seat stadium is scheduled to open for the 2011-12 season, but there is scepticism about that timetable.

City sources indicate that Hicks is no nearer securing the finance needed to actually begin the construction phase of the project. However, the next phase of the planning process is due to be approved next week and Hicks remains very confident in his ability to push the project through.

But among the fans, there is still a feeling frustration and uncertainty. "We have seen no evidence to suggest that they have any means to commence work on the stadium and every day that goes by puts the costs up," said Neil Atkinson, a spokesman for the Spirit of Shankly group.

"There is also concern about the wider impact of this inertia on the regeneration of the area. The entire local community is waiting to see what the club are going to do. Anfield needs regeneration and, until the stadium questions are answered, private investors are not going to make definite decisions.

"It's playing havoc with the area and it needs to be resolved. They are abdicating their responsibility as custodians of the area. If they can't build the stadium, they are wasting everyone's time, including their own. It's a vacuum of uncertainty."

Around £60 million of the £350 million refinancing deal that Hicks and Gillett negotiated earlier this year with the Royal Bank of Scotland and America's fourth largest bank, Wachovia, was made available for the stadium.

A further £45 million was set aside as working capital for, among other things, player acquisitions.

The remaining £245 million was split into two chunks: £60 million of club debt inherited at the time of last year's takeover and £185 million of acquisition debt, borrowed by Hicks and Gillett to complete their original buyout. It was unclear whether the interest would be taken on by the club.

Subsequent attempts by Hicks to secure substantial fresh capital are understood to have been unsuccessful and the financial uncertainty also extends to the transfer market this summer.

Manager Rafael Benitez has spoken with Hicks about the club's potential transfer budget and the American was in the dressing room at Stamford Bridge after Wednesday's 3-2 defeat against Chelsea to offer his support to the players.

Benitez also spoke in positive terms about his future at the club and talked about strengthening his squad. Chief executive Rick Parry has also held talks with Benitez about transfer targets.

However, any firm decisions will be difficult without any signs of unity between the club's two owners, and it is understood that there are still no plans for a board meeting following the recent public outbreak of civil war.

Hicks remains bullish about the future and still plans to buy out Gillett, build the stadium and offer Benitez an extended contract. Gillett, though, has made it clear that he will not sell to Hicks and admitted that their relationship has broken down.

Possible owners, Dubai International Company, remain patiently and confidently in the background. DIC have agreed a deal in principle with Gillett to buy his 50 per cent stake but have been told by Hicks that he has no interest in selling. He has pre-emption rights on Gillett's shares, though it is thought that this option may run out at the end of May. DIC, meanwhile, have reassured Benitez that his position as manager would be safe should they complete a takeover.

Xabi Scotches Transfer Talk

Liverpool playmaker Xabi Alonso has moved to end speculation linking him with a summer move back to Spain, insisting he is staying at Anfield.

Xabi has been linked with a move away, particularly this season, after newcomer Lucas Leiva had displaced him on a few occasions.

However, despite the heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final last night, a proud Xabi has pledged his future to the club, and is behind manager Rafael Benitez.

“My future is with Liverpool because I signed a contract," he declared. "There are many rumours but I do not pay attention to them.

“We are proud of what we have done in the Champions League and we are behind Benitez in the dressing room. I hope to play in more Champions League finals in my career.

“This defeat has hurt us a great deal but we have to show our professionalism and get on with the rest of the season.”

How Liverpool Manager Benitez Survived His Final Warning

Failure to win the Champions League was not supposed to be an option, but Rafa Benitez can start planning for next season after becoming an improbable winner in the unseemly saga of boardroom bickering at Anfield.

After alienating owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett earlier this season by agitating over transfer funds, the Liverpool manager had been left in little doubt that he needed to conquer Europe in order to beat the sack.

Even a second European Cup in four years might not have been enough to dispel the doubts, given Hicks' remarkable public admission that Jurgen Klinsmann had been approached about taking over.

Benitez appeared to be on borrowed time but nearly five months on, the sight of Hicks scurrying around trying to raise money for the latest list of transfers, underlines a dramatic shift of emphasis.

Hicks' bitter fall-out with Gillett has handed Benitez an unlikely reprieve, with the 62-year-old Texan desperate to cling to power and convinced that siding with the ever-popular Spaniard is the best way to do it.

It was never more evident than at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, when Hicks strode into the dressing room after Liverpool's semi-final defeat, draped an arm round Benitez and drawled: "Good job, boys. You were real unlucky."

Although Dubai International Capital's take-over ambitions continue to cast a worrying shadow, Benitez can be sure the inability of Hicks and Gillett to agree on anything will extend to any suggestion of axing him.

There remains a hankering within the boardroom for a manager such as Jose Mourinho or Sven Goran Eriksson, but Benitez looks likely to stay at least another season and has pinpointed areas that need attention for another tilt at the Champions League.

With Borussia Dortmund right back Phillip Degan set to arrive at Anfield on a free transfer, Benitez is turning his sights to a right-sided midfielder and top-class strike partner for Fernando Torres.

Blackburn's David Bentley and lightning-quick Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon are leading candidates for the midfield role, while Benitez is considering Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones up front and could even join an all-star cast closing in on Valencia's David Villa.

Tottenham have indicated their willingness to meet a £16million asking price, while Real Madrid and Chelsea have also been alerted to Valencia's growing cash crisis.

The bidding may rise beyond Liverpool's means but the prospect of an all-Spain strike force of Torres and Villa appeals strongly.

He may struggle to match last summer's outlay on Torres, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun, but he is ready to increase his spending power by cashing in on Peter Crouch and Xabi Alonso and listening to offers for Steve Finnan, John Arne Riise and Jermaine Pennant.

Portsmouth are in pole position for Crouch, whose failure to play any part in the return leg with Chelsea could prove the final straw, while Real Madrid and Barcelona continue to monitor Alonso's availability.

Legendary Barcelona midfielder Pepe Guardiola's likely promotion from reserve team boss to a more senior coaching role could give them the edge for Alonso, whose departure may well clear the way for Gareth Barry's £12m arrival from Aston Villa.

After Liverpool's extra-time defeat, Javier Mascherano claimed they could be primed for an overdue assault on the Barclays Premier League title, if there is no repeat of this season's faltering start.

"We have gone really well in Europe and the Premier League over the past two months," he said. "Now we must make sure that form is repeated from the beginning of next season."

Benitez Wants Quality Additions

Rafael Benitez has turned his attentions to a summer rebuilding program after Liverpool's European exit.

The Reds boss saw his side beaten 3-2 at Chelsea in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, a result which saw the Blues progress by virtue of a 4-3 aggregate scoreline.

With Liverpool now set to end the season empty-handed once again, Benitez accepts that new recruits are vital during the close season.

The Spaniard appears to have been given the assurances he needs that his position as manager is safe, and as a result has already begun to draw up a list of potential transfer targets.

"Clearly now we have to start thinking about the future," he said.

"We must improve and we will add quality to the squad.

"We have two more games in the Premier League to go and obviously we will try to win them both to give our season a good ending.

"But we will be looking at the squad and preparing for next season. You can see we are closer to the top but we still need three or four new players.

"We need to keep working, our scouting department is certainly doing that. We have two more games and will try to win them and then improve the squad for next season."

The Reds have already secured their place in the qualifying round for next season's Champions League, and Benitez is confident that the English representatives will dominate the competition once again during the 2008/09 campaign.

Three clubs from the Premier League reached the semi-finals this year, but the Liverpool boss believes that the potential is there for all four spaces to be taken by teams from this country.

"It has been great to see three English clubs in the semi-finals, it shows how high the standard is in the Premier League," he said.

"And I feel that next season it is possible to see four English clubs in the semi-finals.

"The merit of the top four is outstanding. We have beaten the top sides in Spain and Italy between us, and I can see us getting stronger."

This Summer, Liverpool Mostly Need...

There's no doubt that the gap has been cut. The gulf of over 20 points to last season's champions has been halved this season, due in the most part to the addition of Fernando Torres and the benefit of a full campaign from the almost unbreachable Javier Mascherano.

But Manchester United and Chelsea will undoubtedly spend again this summer (the former on a striker and the latter on flair) and Liverpool will need to spend again simply to ensure that the gap does not grow again. If they intend to actually compete for the title, they will need to spend more.

Let’s take a look at the current Liverpool squad and speculate about the areas that need to be strengthened.

GOALKEEPER
Questions continue to be asked about Jose Reina - and particularly his comfort under high balls - but this summer's goalkeeping priority will be in providing competition for the Spaniard rather than procuring a replacement. If his price continues to be prohibitive and Scott Carson returns, that problem will be solved. If not, someone other than Charles Itandje is needed to warn Reina that he is not entirely untouchable.


RIGHT-BACK
The only thing regular about the right-back situation at Liverpool this season has been the regularity of the switch between Steve Finnan and Alvaro Arbeloa. Rafa is clearly not convinced by either - Jamie Carragher's inclusion at right-back in the big games tells a very clear story - and neither would walk into another top four side. Possible replacements are hardly two a penny (as the high asking prices for Dani Alves and Jose Bosingwa suggest) but Schalke's Brazilian right-back Rafinha and Borussia Dortmund's Philipp Degen are names often mentioned in despatches.


LEFT-BACK
Rafa's ridiculously protracted chase of Gabriel Heinze last summer suggests that he knew he needed cover on the left side of defence, with John-Arne Riise, Fabiano Aurelio and an out-of-position Alvaro Arbeloa his only options. When you consider that his rivals have Patrice Evra, Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy in that position, you can see how Liverpool's squad falls short. Riise will exit this summer and he is likely to be replaced - don't be surprised if Wayne Bridge finally leaves Chelsea for the lure of regular Champions League football.


CENTRE-HALF
Injury to Daniel Agger left Liverpool woefully short in the centre at the start of the season as anyone with eyes in their head could see that Sami Hyypia was not an option to play a full season. Rafa reacted - probably too late - in bringing in Martin Skrtel in January, but that does mean that it's one area of the pitch which need not worry the Reds chequebook this summer.


RIGHT MIDFIELD
The fact that Rafa has preferred an enthusiastic but limited Golden Retriever on the right side of midfield in the latter half of the season gives you an indication of the lack of faith he has in either Jermaine Pennant and Yossi Benayoun, who sit firmly in the box labelled 'decent Premier League player' along with the likes of Darren Fletcher and Shaun Wright-Phillips. There are reasons these players are substitutes for Big Four sides, but the difference is that Liverpool have no better alternative to keep the average players on the bench. This is where the big money should be spent this summer, though talk of getting Roma's Mancini for just £4m should see fans rubbing their hands together with glee. Fans may be split on talk of David Bentley - a player capable of making the step up or another 7/10 player?


LEFT MIDFIELD
Harry Kewell should finally shift his arse and his massive wages out of Anfield this summer to leave Ryan Babel and Benayoun as the only real options (assuming Riise's exit), with both playing out of position. Babel could yet become the answer to that conundrum - though he would prefer to play up front - but it's fair to say that they are being linked with Gareth Barry for a reason, and it's not because they fancy he will replace either Javier Mascherano or Xabi Alonso in the middle. Mancini could also play on the left, but Barry's steadiness (and versatility) could well appeal to Rafa. One interesting little rumour nugget had Guillem Balague suggesting that Liverpool would buy an England international midfielder and it would be a 'surprise'. We could perhaps throw the name of Joe Cole into the mix at this point.


CENTRAL MIDFIELD
It will be a surprise if this is where the money is spent this summer as they boast quite a quartet in Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas and Stevie Gerrard, with Damien Plessis capable of filling in where necessary. The capture of Barry would obviously provide other options - particularly if Alonso exits - while someone like Cole could certainly play in the hole in the stead of Gerrard.


STRIKER
If Peter Crouch was pondering whether to exit Liverpool this summer, his mind should have been made up by the fact that he was still sat on the bench at the end of a Champions League semi-final in which the Reds needed goals. He will have no shortage of options if he decides to exit, but his replacement will be decided by budget. A big budget and you're looking at Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, a smaller budget and you're maybe looking at Kenwyne Jones.

No Damage To Fernando Torres

Initial concerns regarding the fitness of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will be assuaged by the news that the 24-year-old is not undergoing treatment today after his substitution in Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final.

There was notable anxiety at Stamford Bridge among Liverpool coaching staff and fans alike on Wednesday night when Torres, who had scored in the 65th minute to put Liverpool back on equal terms with Chelsea, was replaced by Ryan Babel with 20 minutes of extra time still to play.

Rafael Benitez said afterwards that he was forced to substitute his front-man because the Spaniard had felt a strain in his hamstring. "Torres was injured and had problems with his hamstring so I needed to change it in extra-time," he explained.

However, after enquiries today, it seems that while initial worries may well have been well-founded, Torres is spending his rest day as normal, and apparently having no urgent medical treatment.

The red Merseyside contingent will be thankful that Torres has suffered no lasting damage. Admittedly, the final games of the season are of no major consequence for Liverpool - they are eight points clear of fifth placed Everton, and seven adrift of Arsenal with two fixtures remaining - yet they will want Torres to be fit to finish what has been a remarkable debut season.

Liverpool play Manchester City at home on Sunday followed by a trip to face Tottenham at White Hart Lane for their last game of the season next week. If Torres is unable to play, Liverpool will no doubt call again on Babel, who scored a consolation goal from 30 yards against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Liverpool's European Exit May Force DIC Move

The most turbulent season in Liverpool’s recent history is approaching a distinctly low-key conclusion, on the pitch at least, but the battle in the boardroom will continue to rage over the summer, with George Gillett Jr. determined to defy Tom Hicks, his estranged co-chairman, and force through the sale of his 50 per cent stake in the club to Dubai International Capital (DIC), the Arab investment group.

DIC remains supremely confident that it will take possession of Gillett’s shares in the club in the coming weeks, but Hicks maintains that he will continue to exercise the power of veto he has — a claim that is disputed by Gillett and DIC — to prevent any such sale.

Hicks’s proposed veto is on the basis that he is still trying to find the funds or the backing that he would need to buy Liverpool outright. Hicks is under pressure to prove that he has the funds to take the club forward on his own, but sources in Texas have indicated that he is drawing up a business plan that would raise the £300 million needed for the construction of the club’s proposed new 71,000-capacity stadium in Stanley Park, which is due to open in 2011.

The end of Liverpool’s Champions League campaign, after their defeat by Chelsea in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday, was expected to accelerate the process, with DIC having kept its distance over the past four weeks, but now it must weigh up its next move, whether to wait or whether to exert more pressure on the owners to reach a solution. For now Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, appears to be working on the assumption that Hicks will be calling the shots at Anfield for the foreseeable future.

Benítez suggested after his team’s defeat at Stamford Bridge that “just one signing could make a massive difference” to Liverpool, but once again a significant turnover of players is expected. He already has agreed a deal to sign Philipp Degen, the Switzerland right back, on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund and has made moves to sign Fernando Amorebieta, the 23-year-old central defender, from Athletic Bilbao. Those would be relatively minor deals, but Benítez will pursue more ambitious targets, including Gareth Barry, the Aston Villa and England midfield player, and at least one winger and striker as well as the usual smattering of talented teenagers.

On the way out of the club are Harry Kewell, whose contract expires on June 30, and, if the right offer comes in, Scott Carson, John Arne Riise, Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch. Even Xabi Alonso, a player who has been one of the cornerstones of the Benítez regime, is likely to be sold if any of his previous suitors, such as Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid or Barcelona, meet his £15 million valuation, particularly if Barry arrives as his replacement in midfield.

Steven Gerrard, the captain, believes that reinforcements are needed if Liverpool are to challenge for the Barclays Premier League title next term, but, having been unhappy with the team’s progress earlier in the season, he been reassured by their performances in recent months.

“There is no point looking back or thinking what might have been,” the England player said. “We have to look forward because we have to go into next season looking to improve again. Hopefully, we will go into next season with a stronger squad because that could make a big difference. If we can bottle this disappointment, it could be a big motivation for us.”

Chelsea 3 - 2 LiverpooL

Extra-time goals from Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba sent Chelsea into a Champions League final showdown against Manchester United in Moscow next month.

Lampard, playing his first game since the death of his mother last week, slotted home a 98th-minute penalty and Drogba, who had opened the scoring in the first-half, sent Chelsea to the final with a timely second.

Fernando Torres had given Liverpool hope with a second-half equaliser but they failed to finish the job and Chelsea made them pay in a pulsating extra period which also saw Ryan Babel grab a late consolation goal for the Reds.

Drogba, a man whose penchant for spending more time horizontally on the pitch had incurred the wrath of Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez prior to kick-off, was clearly a man on a mission as he forced Jose Reina to turn his skidding 18-yard effort around the post in the fifth minute.

Four minutes later Liverpool put together their only meaningful move of the opening half when a quick Steven Gerrard pass put Fernando Torres in behind the Chelsea defence.

Unfortunately, the Spaniard's first touch was not deft enough and although he bore down on Petr Cech, the Chelsea goalkeeper had done enough to close down his space and options.

The slippery conditions hampered both sides but it was Chelsea who mastered them quicker.

In the 18th minute Lampard despatched a delightful pass into the path of Drogba but the Ivory Coast international striker was a yard wide with his shot.

But Chelsea were in the ascendancy and their supremacy was underlined by Michael Essien's 25-yard effort which had to be collected by Reina at the foot of his right-hand post.

Liverpool were struggling to keep pace with the home side and their worries increased when Martin Skrtel was forced off with a knee injury in the 21st minute and he was replaced by Sami Hyypia.

Reina was forced to punch clear a long-range effort from Ballack but the goal Chelsea had threatened for most of the half arrived in style in the 33rd minute.

The architect, as so often this season, was England midfielder Lampard.

He cleverly split the Liverpool defence to give Salomon Kalou the chance to run on and fire a shot that Reina could only palm into the path of the onrushing Drogba.

The Ivorian does not miss such gifts and he sent a low drive fizzing into the net at the near post to give Liverpool a 2-1 aggregate lead.

The Chelsea striker, clearly hurt by Benitez's criticism of his 'diving', then ran the length of the half to celebrate his goal in front of the Liverpool manager.

Chelsea's domination almost brought them a second four minutes before the interval but Ballack's measured free-kick veered just the wrong side of an upright.

Dirk Kuyt almost hauled Liverpool back into the tie three minutes after the restart but his shot met the outstretched leg of Cech before Ashley Cole cleared.

After Lampard's 53rd-minute volley was well held by Reina, Liverpool finally broke their goalscoring hoodoo when Yossi Benayoun carved out a chance for Torres.

The Spaniard collected the ball in his stride just inside the penalty area before sliding it beyond the exposed Cech to make it 2-2 on aggregate - the 64th-minute effort was Chelsea's first at Stamford Bridge in nine games under Benitez.

Liverpool were now unrecognisable from the insipid team of the first-half.

They were pulling Chelsea apart in midfield and the home side were looking decidedly nervy for the first time in the game.

But Chelsea rallied and a fine run by Essien ended when he found the side-netting.

Both sides sought a winner - but the 90 minutes ended all-square and the contest went into extra-time.

Liverpool almost snatched the lead within minutes of the restart but Hyypia's header fell wide of the post with Cech beaten.

Chelsea then thought they had done enough when Essien sent a 20-yard effort into the net - but it was rightly disallowed for offside.

However, in the 98th minute, Ballack was brought down by Hyypia inside the box and referee Roberto Rosetti pointed to the spot.

Lampard kept his composure to send Reina the wrong way and was in tears as he celebrated with his team-mates.

Worse was to come for Liverpool when substitute Nicolas Anelka got free on the right and pulled the ball back for Drogba to fire under Reina.

An error from Cech gifted Babel a late goal but Chelsea held on to reach their first Champions League final.

Benítez Left With Empty Feeling And Unclear Future

Rafael Benítez owes his reputation in England to achievements abroad. Liverpool supporters may crave the league title above all else, but even those who cavil at domestic campaigns that have faded with the snowdrops have to acknowledge his unarguable Champions League record.

Europe will provide no succour this season, however. In their third Champions League semi-final meeting in four seasons Liverpool were finally thwarted by Chelsea, and for Benítez the prospect of glory has given way to the reality of a season without silverware.

The Spaniard has much to contemplate, not least whether he will still be in his post next campaign. He is manager of a club with a dysfunctional boardroom, the co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett in open conflict and Benítez's tensions with the chief executive, Rick Parry, barely concealed. Hicks went to the dressing room after last night's defeat to commiserate with the team, but whether it was a valedictory visit remains unclear, as Dubai Investment Capital continues to circle the club. Should Benítez remain in the post come August, and the ownership of the club be sufficiently clear to allow him to invest in the four or five players he believes he needs to progress, the priority will be to close the gap in the league.

After four seasons under Benítez Liverpool are no closer to Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in the league than they were in 2004 when Gérard Houllier left Anfield. It is a rebuke to Benítez's claims that he is making progress, but for every critic he will always have Istanbul.

As insurance policies go, winning club football's greatest prize in your first season takes some beating, even if the manner of that Istanbul victory ensures that regardless of what transpired last night Benítez should never be considered an unlucky manager. Having selected the wrong team to face Milan in the 2005 final and only changed it when, at 3-0 down, it should have been too late, Benítez owed victory to one of the more notable chokes in sporting history from the Italian side, aided and abetted by an indefatigable display from Steven Gerrard. It bought him time as well as respect, and was bolstered last year by yet another final appearance. But last night his sure-footedness in European competition appeared to desert him.

Twice at this stage of the Champions League he has seen off Chelsea, but on both occasions the decisive leg came at Anfield. Jose Mourinho will forever attribute the "phantom goal" that decided the 2005 tie to the hostility of the Kop, and last season the same supporters contributed to Chelsea's startling collapse in the penalty shoot-out.

Required to conjure a result at the sharp end of a semi-final at Stamford Bridge, a ground every bit as kind to Chelsea as Anfield has been unforgiving, it proved beyond him and his players. Benítez had not won in eight previous visits and Fernando Torres' goal last night was Liverpool's first on the Fulham Road since January 2004.

Neither did Benítez help himself with his pre-match comments aimed at Didier Drogba. The Spaniard's pre-match observation that the Ivorian is prone to diving proved disastrous. It may have been a statement of the obvious but it ensured a hostile reception for his players and stoked a devastating response from Chelsea's most potent striker. He left Benítez in no doubt about their effect when, after lashing home Chelsea's goal in the 33rd minute, he ran 50 yards to celebrate in front of the Liverpool dugout. Benítez affected not to notice, but the significance was lost on no one.

By that time Benítez had more on his mind than losing a war of words. His side showed one alteration from the one that dominated at Anfield, Yossi Benayoun replacing Ryan Babel on the left, but they floundered as Chelsea dominated a rollicking opening apparently designed to demonstrate that regardless of the nationality of the personnel this was to be an truly English football occasion.

Benítez employed Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso to screen the back four, but in the opening exchanges they were repeatedly bypassed and with Pepe Reina's goal sustaining an early barrage there was little sign of the potency on the break that Liverpool would require to reach Moscow. Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Benayoun were wasteful, and Benítez spent much of the half trying to effect a transformation.

Gradually his side gained a foothold in the sodden conditions and for 20 minutes after half-time, thanks largely to the pace and poise of Torres, they found their way back. Inevitably Torres offered Benítez his lifeline, latching on to a Benayoun pass to equalise 20 minutes into the second half. From then extra-time seemed inevitable. Ultimately, though, Benítez had no answer to opponents who last night deserved to be dreaming of Moscow as the Spaniard ponders an uncertain future.

Carra Proud Of Battling Reds

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has spoken of his pride at his team-mates' display against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Rafa Benitez's Liverpool exited this season's UEFA Champions League as Chelsea ran out 3-2 victors on a thrilling evening at Stamford Bridge.

A brace from Didier Drogba and an extra-time penalty from Frank Lampard brought an end to The Reds' hunt for silverware this season.

But Carragher believes Liverpool can draw heart from their performance, and is hopeful that the club's future is bright.

"We knew it was going to be tough, and we are disappointed," he told Sky Sports News.

"It is a great achievement by Chelsea, good luck to them in the final. As I said, we are disappointed but we have just got to accept it and move on.

"We have got to be proud of the way we acted and performed. That bodes well for the future, hopefully."

Liverpool had appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Roberto Rosetti after Sami Hyypia went down under a challenge from Didier Drogba in extra-time with the scoreline at 3-1.

Carragher felt his side were unlucky not to be awarded the spot-kick, but is refusing to dwell on what might have been.

"I think their one (which Lampard dispatched on 98 minutes after Hyypia felled Michael Ballack) was a penalty. I also think our one was too," Carragher continued.

"The referee put the whistle to his mouth, but maybe we didn't appeal enough. But it is gone now. We are out. There is no point moaning about it now."

Torres Eyes Liverpool For Life

Fernando Torres hopes to end his career at Liverpool, but feels it is too early to compare him to legends from Anfield's past.

Torres has made a dazzling start to life in England after already netting 30 goals in his debut campaign following a record-breaking switch from Atletico Madrid last summer.

And ahead of Liverpool's UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg at Chelsea, a match which can be seen live on Sky Sports 2, the 24-year-old Spaniard has admitted he would not be against the possibility of seeing out his playing days on Merseyside.

"I hope so," Torres - who will be charged with the vital task of ending Liverpool's eight-game goal drought at Stamford Bridge - told LFC TV when asked if he would like to remain a Liverpool player for the rest of his career.

"I feel very confident here. If we can win trophies, then much better. This is my team, my city and Anfield is my pitch. I feel very good."

Torres' stunning form has seen him compared to previous Reds striking greats Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler.

And his productive partnership with Steven Gerrard has also created flashbacks to Rush's pairing with Kenny Dalglish, but the Spaniard is keen to play down the similarities.

"I'm very proud. But now is not the moment," Torres added.

"Kenny, Robbie and Stevie (Gerrard) have a lot of trophies, a lot of titles and they have played hundreds of games for the club. They have been legends for lots of years.

"This is only my first season at Liverpool and I want to play better for many more seasons yet. So far I've had one good season but Kenny and Robbie have had six, seven, eight or 10 good seasons at Liverpool. It's different.

"When I have finished my career then maybe that will be the moment to talk about these things but not now. It's too early.

"It's important to me that the fans think highly of me and if they're saying these things then I would say 'thank you, but not yet'.

"I think they love me and I love them. It's great when kids and their granddads come up to me in the street and say 'you're the best'.

"I was with Kenny Dalglish the other day and you could see in the faces of the people how much of a hero he is, 20 years after he finished his career. I want everyone to remember me in 20 years' time."

DIC Will Back Rafa Benitez If Takeover Succeeds

Rafa Benitez has been reassured by DIC, the consortium seeking to take over Liverpool, that his position as manager will be safe if they buy out Anfield's current owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

DIC, the investment arm of the Dubai government, are keen to keep the Liverpool fans on their side, knowing how much the Kop reveres Benitez.

Liverpool's manager has been concerned about the uncertainty seizing Anfield, amid speculation that DIC might replace him with Jose Mourinho.

While the former Chelsea manager is understood to have informally sounded out DIC about the possibility of taking over from Benitez should their takeover go through, it was never pursued.

Liverpool fans voiced their support of Benitez during last night's Champions League semi-final second leg with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. DIC are aware that the appointment of Mourinho would not be tolerated by Liverpool fans, and the Portuguese manager is understood to be more interested in Inter Milan.

DIC have agreed a deal in principle with Gillett to buy his 50 per cent stake but have been told by Hicks that he has no interest in selling. He has pre-emption rights on Gillett's shares but DIC believe that option runs out at the end of May.

Although they are understood to be prepared to force the issue, they are unwilling to make their move until the end of the season.

DIC are concerned that reigniting the civil war inside the boardroom will destabilise Liverpool at a critical point in the club's European campaign.

Hicks has claimed that it was his partner Gillett who wanted to remove Benitez and hire the former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who is now set to take over as Bayern Munich coach in the summer.

The move was a major PR disaster and has played a major part in turning the Liverpool's fans against the American owners and uniting them with Benitez.

DIC, who have been poised to make a £450 million bid for Liverpool for much of this season, have now made it clear they want dressing-room continuity in the form of Benitez. If the Spaniard were to leave, players like Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina would be expected to follow him out of Anfield.

Mascherano insists: Next Season Liverpool Will Be Challenging For The Premier League Title

Javier Mascherano believes Liverpool will recover from their Champions League heartbreak to be title challengers next season.

The Argentina midfielder feels the club's form over the last few months has proved they have the quality to compete with Chelsea and Manchester United.

Liverpool are 11 points behind the top two and Mascherano said: "The last two months were very good for Liverpool in the Premier and Champions League but we need to repeat this from the beginning of next season.

"We are a young team but have experienced players as well and we showed our character against Chelsea. We played at the same level as Chelsea. We need to improve and keep playing this way. We have shown we have the quality to win titles."