Liverpool's Riera Bid Rejected

Espanyol have rejected Liverpool’s £9.5m (€12m) bid for Spanish international midfielder Albert Ortega Riera, according to reports.

The left-sided midfielder has expressed his desire to join a bigger club this summer, having impressed for the The Periquitos this season, breaking into the Spain squad and scoring a spectacular debut goal against Denmark in October.

Having drawn plaudits during a loan spell with Manchester City in 2006, the 26-year old is not short of Premiership suitors and Liverpool will have to almost double their bid if they are to meet Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez Libre’s £18.5 million valuation.

The Merseysiders have time to mull over an improved bid given Riera’s omission from Spain’s Euro 2008 squad, a factor that served only to heighten the midfielder’s growing frustration in Barcelona.

Though he along with teammates Luis Garcia and Raul Tamudo have all featured prominently for Luis Aragones, most recently in the friendly win over Italy in March, Riera feels that Espanyol’s poor second-half to the season has cost the trio their international places.

"I knew there could be surprises but I expected to be there," he said.

"But the second half of the season has cost us.

"Normally all three of us would be with the national team and now none of us are," he said.

"It's disappointing but there is no point looking back now.

"I will rest this summer and start to think about next season."

Gillett & Hicks Show Their Priorities

Almost 16 months after George Gillett and Tom Hicks walked into Liverpool Football Club promising to have “a spade in the ground within 60 days”, instead the only construction involving Liverpool FC involves the opening of a brand new megastore in the new Liverpool One shopping centre.

The new shop, the biggest in Europe, is once again evidence of where the American owners’ priorities lie. If their promises about the new stadium had been met we’d have been seeing photos of the new stadium on Stanley Park being constructed, instead we’ve seen three proposed plans, lots of wasted money on planning, embarrassing backtracking on one design, cost-cutting to another design, and no further along with planning for the increased capacity. Rather than the new stadium being well on it’s way to be being built, instead we’re left still hearing about talks of groundshares with Everton.

Fans group SOS (Spirit of Shankly) have been urging Liverpool fans not to purchase official club merchandise for as long as Hicks and Gillett are at the helm. They have placed debt onto our football club and now expect us to repay that debt for them, against their promises and our wishes.

Whatever the marketing blurb says we know that paradise isn’t a place where Manchester United are league and European Champions and look like investing significantly this summer from a position of strength. We know paradise isn’t inertia; two owners desperate to wring every last penny over their abortive eighteen months in charge of the football club. We know paradise isn’t being lied to again and again. It isn’t Rick Parry.

Supporting this football club isn’t buying into a franchise; it’s committing yourself to shared values and aspirations. It’s a necessity of modern football that this collective identity is taken and sold back to us. However that doesn’t mean we should accept it when those shared values and aspirations aren’t simply being ignored but are being ridden roughshod over by those who stand to gain from our support.

We’ve asked you to withhold that support wherever possible and we ask you to do so again. We’ve asked you to spread this word around and we ask you to do so again. We’ve asked each and every one of you to consider every pound that goes into the football club as being a pound which goes towards us paying off a debt which is not ours, which has not been instituted for the benefit of the football club but for the two greedy individuals who hold our potential back, and work out whether or not that pound is worth spending.

The fight has dragged on but that doesn’t make it any less worth fighting and it doesn’t make it any less urgent. Every day that passes damages our club and we’re looking for new fronts to open, to re-emphasise there is no custodianship here, no integrity, no honesty, no dignity. Nothing that makes LFC fans proud.

Next week we’re hoping to start sending membership packs out, we’re hoping to launch the online membership. Within our membership packs is a badge. The badge we send out isn’t just a badge, isn’t a family crest but it is a simple statement - that the wearer will not accept our shared values being destroyed, that the wearer will fight against this now, and will ensure that after this fight has been won the next custodians will be held to account.

We know nothing is impossible; that’s why we’re here: an organisation created from the ground up, energised by Liverpool supporters who will not watch what they believe in be eroded by lies and ongoing incompetence. A democratic organisation which has and will continue to speak for the collective, speak for the shared values and aspirations and will speak out as the erosion takes place. We still need your energy and your support; we shall always need it if we are to fulfil what we said we would. We can only come together and hold the club to account for years to come if we do stand together as a massed force of Liverpool supporters.

Paradise isn’t a shop. It’s being one red in a crowd, urging this football club towards success.

Fernando Torres To Get Liverpool Pay Rise

Liverpool are set to reward Fernando Torres for his outstanding debut season at Anfield by giving the striker an £800,000-a-year pay rise.

The Spain international, who moved to Merseyside from Atletico de Madrid last summer for £21.5 million, was promised when he signed for the club that his salary would be reviewed at the end of his first season in the Premier League.

Torres was so keen to join Liverpool that he actually accepted a drop in his wages, as well as waiving the £3m from the original transfer fee that Atletico owed him but, after scoring an incredible 33 goals in the last campaign, the powers that be at Anfield have agreed to increase his weekly wage packet from £74,000 to the £89,000 that he was paid at the Vicente Calderon.

That works out at an extra £4m for the player over the remaining five years of his contract, but it will be considered a small price to pay by manager Rafael Benitez if it helps to ward off interest from rivals Chelsea, who earlier this week signalled their desire to lure the highly-talented forward away to Stamford Bridge for the start of next season.

It has been reported that Torres' agent, Margarita Garay, was in Liverpool between May 14 and 16 to thrash out the new agreement, with a source close to the player saying: "There has been a meeting between Fernando's people and Liverpool.

"It was very amicable and set the tone for what should be a straightforward negotiation."

Aberdeen And Hibs Join Queue To Land Liverpool Winger Hammill

Hibs and Aberdeen are among the clubs set to fight it out for the loan signing of Liverpool winger Adam Hammill.

The 20-year-old had a successful four-month spell at Dunfermline last year, helping the Pars reach the Scottish Cup Final, and could now be set for a return north of the border this summer.

Hammill is back at Anfield after a season-long loan at Southampton but Reds boss Rafa Benitez is exploring the option of farming him out again to gain experience.

But the SPL duo are likely to face English competition from the likes of Swansea, Plymouth, Charlton, Preston and Wolves.

Meanwhile, Hibs striker Abdessalam Benjelloun appears set to quit the club this summer due to a lack of opportunities under manager Mixu Paatelainen.

Riise Wants Answer From Rafa

John Arne Riise wants Rafa Benitez to make a decision on his future at Liverpool before he returns to the club for pre-season training.

The left-back endured a frustrating past season after failing to hold on to a regular place in Benitez's starting line-up.

Benitez is also trying to increase competition in Riise's position, with the Reds in talks to sign Udinese defender Andrea Dossena.

Riise has already admitted he could be forced to move on after seven years at Anfield, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United having been linked with offers.

The 27-year-old is now calling for Benitez to make a decision on his Liverpool career before he returns to the club for pre-season in early July.

"My agent is set to find out what is happening," said the Norwegian.

"I have to get things sorted out before pre-season starts. Those who have played internationals are due to meet up on 7th July.

"I can't wait and wait for an answer. I have to get an answer now."

Rafael Benitez Faces Liverpool Midfield Crisis As Mascherano And Lucas To Head To Olympics

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is set to discuss with Javier Mascherano the Argentinian's possible participation in this summer's Olympic Games.

Mascherano, 23, looks likely to be named in the Argentina squad as an over-age player but the issue has caused consternation at Anfield with Benitez worried about his absence for the start of the new season.

Brazilian Lucas is also likely to be in Beijing with his country while Xabi Alonso seems set to leave the club for Juventus in a £16 million deal, leaving Benitez short of midfielders for the early stages of the campaign.

Benitez said: "This is a very difficult situation for us because we have Lucas, who is eligible through his age with Brazil, and Mascherano, who can play for Argentina as an over-age player, so I need to discuss his position with him. We will see what happens."

Alonso, 26, was reported to be in Turin holding talks with Juventus yesterday. The Basque midfielder has found first-team opportunities increasingly limited at Anfield and the club need to raise funds to make signings over the summer.

Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said: "We can't deny that we're interested, but there's always the problem of getting value for money."

Reds Winger Set For New Loan

Skysports.com understands Liverpool are exploring the option of sending young winger Adam Hammill out on loan again next season.

Hammill has returned to Anfield after a season-long loan spell at Southampton and is waiting to find out what his future holds.

The 20-year-old struggled to show his true form at Southampton because of the upheaval at St Mary's including George Burley's departure to manage Scotland.

Hammill enjoyed a superb spell on loan at Dunfermline in 2007, helping the club reach the Scottish Cup final and his performances in Scotland won him many admirers.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is now exploring the option of loaning out the talented winger for another season as he continues his policy of farming out his best young players, so that they can gain experience before making the step up to the first team.

The news has alerted a number of clubs in England and Scotland as they prepare a move for the former England Under 19 international.

Championship new boys Swansea are thought to be interested in landing Hammill, having had Paul Anderson on loan from Liverpool last season and a move to Roberto Martinez's men could be an option.

Plymouth, Charlton, Preston, Wolves and QPR are all monitoring developments, while Aberdeen and Hibernian are ready to offer Hammill the chance to return to Scotland after he impressed against them while playing for Dunfermline.

Benitez is believed to be looking at the list of interested clubs before making a decision on Hammill's future.

Ablett Seeing Shades Of Kenny

Gary Ablett claims he can see shades of Kenny Dalglish in the way reserve striker Krisztian Nemeth plays football – but insists the youngster has a lot to learn before people can call him the King.

Despite the high praise, Ablett outlines several areas where the Hungarian must improve before he can establish himself as a first-teamer.

"It's probably a wrong comparison to make but I was lucky enough to play with Kenny during my first games at Liverpool and Krisztian reminds me a little bit of that in that he has great balance, can back into people and twist and turn," says Ablett.

"But he still has a lot to learn. His movement can improve. We keep telling the young players that even when they haven't got the ball they can be involved in the game and affect play.

"He doesn't score many with his left foot and that's something we are working on. It's the same with his head, but with his right foot he can find that yard of space in the box and get his shots in early without much backlift. Goalscoring comes naturally to him.

"We mustn't get carried away because he is just 19 years of age. Rafa will make the decision as to when and where Krisztian will get his chance and that will be the right decision."

While stressing the importance of not getting carried away, the interview sees Ablett reveal his belief that Nemeth has the right mentality to succeed in England.

"The fact he came over with some of his countrymen (Peter Gulacsi and Andras Simon) might have helped but he is a little older and decided to get a place on his own in the city centre. I think he brought his girlfriend over too," he says.

"His English is improving and he seems to be a very level-headed young man."

Reds Set To Be Number One In Europe

Liverpool are on course to be Europe's number one ranked team according to UEFA for the first time since 1985.

The basis for the UEFA rankings is the performance of teams in the European Cups during a five-year period.

While the Reds currently stand third behind AC Milan and Chelsea, the projected figures for 2009 put Merseyside's finest on top.

That's because over the last four years – winning the Champions League in 2005, losing in the final in 2007 and reaching the semis last term – the Reds have accrued more points than any other team (Liverpool 104.288; AC Milan 103.006; Chelsea 102.284).

Therefore, a decent European campaign in 2008-09 would see Rafa Benitez's side overtake AC Milan and Chelsea to take top spot.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's recent form in the Champions League also means they will go into the qualifiers for next season's competition as number one seeds when the draw is made in July.

Kuyt And Babel Going To Euro 2008

Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel will both feature in Euro 2008 after being named in Marco van Basten's final Dutch squad.

Kuyt was dropped from the national set up after a blip in form earlier this year but has won his place back in style with a string of priceless Champions League goals for Liverpool.

More recently, the 27-year-old found the net at the weekend in Holland's 3-0 win over Andriy Voronin's Ukraine.

He'll now travel to Austria and Switzerland alongside Babel and five other Premier League stars.

The 23-man squad in full is: Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord). Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa), Tim de Cler (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Ajax), Joris Mathijsen (HSV Hamburg), Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic), Andre Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers). Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Orlando Engelaar (FC Twente Enschede), Nigel de Jong (HSV Hamburg), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid), Rafael van der Vaart (HSV Hamburg), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar). Strikers: Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid).

Xabi Alonso Set For Move To Juventus

Xabi Alonso appears ready to accept that his Liverpool days are numbered – with Juventus hoping to close in on his signature this week.

Although Alonso’s agent insists that a decision won’t be made until after Euro 2008, he is due to meet officials from the Serie A club today with a view to discussing terms for the 26-year-old midfielder.

The sticking point in the deal remains the value of the Spain international, who is currently preparing for the European Championships with his country.

Liverpool have told Juventus that they must raise £16m for Alonso, who cost £10.5m when Rafael Benitez brought him from Real Sociedad in 2004.

Representatives of the Italian club have already met Anfield officials to outline their intention to prise the playmaker away, but they don’t want to fork out more than £14m for him.

Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said: “We can’t deny that we’re interested, but there’s always the problem of getting value for money.

“Managing director Jean-Claude Blanc is working on this and on other possibilities.”

Although Liverpool are in no rush to sell and Alonso has perviously revealed he is happy to stay, he is beginning to come to terms with his future lying away from Anfield.

Agent Inaki Ibanez said: “I have a clear idea, namely Liverpool would like to sell. But we must first speak with Rafa Benitez.

“We'll decide after the European Championships.”

Alonso struggled to produce his best form last season, when he was sidelined with a broken foot then used in a more withdrawn role behind Benitez’s attacking quartet.

With Javier Mascherano a fixture in the holding midfield position and Benitez pursuing Gareth Barry, there is no guarantee of Alonso being a first team regular if he does remain on Merseyside.

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri is keen to pair him alongside his former Liverpool team-mate Momo Sissoko when the Turin side kick off next season.

Liverpool Fail In £5m Ramsey Offer

Cardiff City have rejected an offer from Liverpool for Aaron Ramsey, the 17-year-old midfielder who is also on Manchester United's radar. It is understood that the offer, believed to be worth close to £5m, were turned down because Cardiff are seeking a more substantial sum up front, with the Championship club reluctant to agree a deal in which the bulk of the fee is linked closely to the teenager's development.

Liverpool are expected to return with an improved offer but there is likely to be competition from a number of other Premier League clubs, including Everton, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

United are also continuing to monitor the situation, although the lack of first-team opportunities at Old Trafford, and at Arsenal and Liverpool for that matter, is likely to be uppermost in Ramsey's mind when he makes a decision.

John Toshack, the Wales manager, voiced similar concerns this week when he spoke about the number of promising teenagers who have moved to Premier League clubs and struggled to fulfil their potential because of the quality of players in front of them. One solution would be for Ramsey to spend a season on loan at a Championship club, an agreement which could see him return to Ninian Park in August. There is certainly little chance of him starting next season as Cardiff's property, and the Welsh club are resigned to losing their biggest asset.

Ever since Ramsey made his debut in April last year interest in the Caerphilly-born midfielder has snowballed. Manchester United's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has spoken to his Cardiff counterpart, Dave Jones, about Ramsey, and Harry Redknapp was hugely impressed with the teenager's performance in the FA Cup semi-final against Barnsley last month. Ramsey then came on as a substitute in the Cup final against Redknapp's Portsmouth at Wembley this month.

Ramsey has two years remaining on his Cardiff contract but such is the sense of inevitability surrounding his departure that there has been no talk of extending his deal.

His progress at Ninian Park - he made 21 appearances for Cardiff last season - has been recognised at international level, with Toshack calling him into the Wales squad for this week's friendlies in Iceland and Holland.

Degen Still Pinching Himself Over Liverpool Move

New Liverpool signing Philipp Degen has vowed to do whatever it takes to make the grade at Anfield.

The 25-year-old Swiss international, who arrived on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund, will be in direct competition with Steve Finnan and Alvaro Arbeloa for a place in the Reds' starting XI next term, which he acknowledges is a daunting prospect.

"All of my team-mates have congratulated me [about Liverpool]," he told Swiss reporters.

"My team-mates know the business. They know what this transfer means.

"Only in the last week were the details clarified. I am glad now everything is clear.

"I made the change but it's not easy. I was in Dortmund for three wonderful years.

"My playing style suits The Premier League. It is played moving forward. The move is a challenge for me. Liverpool are not just any club.

"They play every year for the championship and the Champions League. It is clear to me that it's not easy to get through [to the team]. All the positions are two or three occupied at Liverpool."

Ironically, Degen could be in line for one of the biggest disappointments of his career, if Swiss team manager Kobi Kuhn deems that he has not recovered from injury sufficiently to be part of his final Euro 2008 squad.

"On Wednesday, Kobi Kuhn chooses 23 players," he added. "I know I was injured for a long time and if the coach cuts me, I will accept this.

"Of course, I hope, however, that I am included.

"I can only say that I feel ready. I feel nothing in training and can easily join in all the exercises. I am a man who never gives up."

Gareth Barry's Mentor Urges Villa Star To Join Liverpool

Gareth Barry has been urged to quit Aston Villa and join Liverpool by the coach who first discovered him more than 15 years ago.

Les Rogers unearthed Hastings-born Barry at Brighton’s Centre of Excellence in the early 1990s before the midfielder made the switch to Villa.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez remains keen to sign the 27-year-old despite having an initial £10million bid rejected and being involved in a war of words with his Villa counterpart Martin O’Neill.

O’Neill is desperate to hold onto his captain and build a team capable of breaking into the top four.

But Rogers believes the chance to join the Reds is too big an opportunity for Barry to turn down.

He said: “Martin O’Neill has been a brilliant manager for Gareth and Villa have really looked after him. He would miss playing at Aston Villa.

“But the opportunity to move to a top four club is too great. I think Gareth should go. How often will this opportunity come around?

“He’s been loyal to Villa and has had previous opportunities to leave but now he will be torn. Gareth has done a tremendous job with Villa but the chance to go to Liverpool is too big an opportunity not to take.

“If Gareth didn’t go, it would end up being a ’what if’ scenario. He might end up having a drop in form and regret his decision to stay.

“He wants to hold onto his England place, which I know he values a lot, and now that he is back in the international team I think it’s the right time for him to move.

Barry is unlikely to make any decision on his future until after England’s friendly internationals with the United States on Wednesday and Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday.

Dossena Keen To Join 'Famous' Reds

Udinese full-back Andrea Dossena has suggested he would be interested in joining Liverpool, who have been linked with an £8million bid for him.

The Italian is thought to be a target for Reds boss Rafa Benitez, with reports claiming a deal is in the pipeline.

Fiorentina and Juventus both want to keep Dossena in Serie A, but Liverpool are favourites to capture the left-back.

And Dossena admits the Reds' European pedigree makes a move to Anfield a tempting proposition as he considers his future.

"Liverpool are a famous team and it's good to be mentioned with them," said Dossena in The Sun. "I want to play in the Champions League and Liverpool are a side who have won it and reach the late stages often.

"They are one of the famous names in Europe - comparable with the biggest teams in Italy.

"In England I think Liverpool are Manchester United's equal - they can rival them."

Rick Parry Issues Rafael Benitez Title Warning

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has called for manager Rafael Benitez to close the gap on the teams who finished above the Merseyside club in this season's Premier League.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Parry said: "We have to be real contenders.

While Benitez will be pleased with the club official's desire to build, the Spaniard will be hoping Parry can persuade the club's American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to provide funds for transfer market.

Hicks will need to be persuaded that Parry can deliver the high-profile targets to Anfield, after blaming the chief executive's lack of clear communication in the failure to land some big name signings.

One message that will have been received by Benitez is the importance of the Premier League, as Liverpool have not finished top of the league table since 1990, something which rankles within the club's hierarchy and fanbase.

Meanwhile, Peter Crouch, who is thought to be one of the player Benitez is prepared to allow to leave Anfield this year as the manager seeks to raise funds for new players, has decided to see out the final year of his contract at Liverpool.

The England striker, who will be able to leave for free next year, has been shocked by the £15 million price-tag put on him.

The Star reports a source close to Crouch as saying: "Peter's been treated appallingly by Benitez.

"First there's been the lack of games, then Benitez claiming Peter had been offered a new contract.

"Now comes this £15 million price-tag, which is ridiculous. The best option is to see out his last year at Liverpool and then go for nothing."

Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry: “We Have The Nucleus Of A Very Good Team”

Chief executive Rick Parry has voiced his feelings that the Reds are a brilliant side, and claimed that certain changes are necessary in the squad if they are to lay their hands on the Premier League title in the coming season.

The Reds, who at one point had a huge gap of 21 points with the Premiership champions Manchester United in the 2006/07 campaign, managed to reduce it to 11 points by the end of the season.

Parry claimed that with some improvements to the current squad during the summer, it will definitely put the Reds well in the race for the title when the season resumes.

Parry said: "We have to look back, learn and build for next season when the Premier League title will again be a priority target.

"We said back in February that despite the off field issues we needed to focus on a busy and important game schedule.

"The players did this and we qualified for next season's Champions League with games to spare.

"As ever, we now begin to concentrate on further improving the squad for next year. We have to be real contenders.

"The points gap has narrowed but it's still not enough.

"We have the nucleus of a very good team and now we must build on that during the summer break."

Bentley Drops Liverpool Hint

David Bentley's latest comments suggest that Blackburn boss Mark Hughes will have his work cut out for him this summer trying to convince the young shooting star of the merits of staying true to his club.

The former Arsenal prospect has been heavily tipped to move to Anfield in recent months, having become increasingly unsettled following Blackburn’s failure to qualify for Europe.

Rovers boss Mark Hughes has rebuffed all interest so far and is desperate to hang onto Bentley, whose link-up with Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz provided most of the club’s highlights this season.

However, with news that Liverpool have revived their interest in the England internaional by way of a ₤12 million bid and Bentley himself showing signs of resisting committing to a new deal, things do not look especially good for Blackburn in this regard.

"No I haven't signed it but we're not talking about that now," said Bentley when pressed on the status of contract talks at Ewood Park.

"I watched the Champions League Final and of course that's the sort of match I want to play in. Every player when they start their career wants to reach the top of their game and I haven't done that yet.

"I wouldn't say I'm impatient - but I'm hungry for success," he added.

Bentley was speaking from England's training camp, where he and the rest of Fabio Capello's squad are preparing for their double-header against the United States and Trinidad and Tobago.

"I don't look at myself as a full international," Bentley added. "I haven't played in a big tournament, haven't played in the Champions League, so I've still got it all to do at the moment.

"That's what I'm trying to do. I've still got to work hard, get better as a player and hopefully one day I'll be in the big games."

Torres Is Staying At Anfield, Insist Liverpool

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is adamant striker Fernando Torres will not be leaving Anfield.

The Spaniard made a seamless transition to the Barclays Premier League following his transfer from Atletico Madrid, scoring 33 goals in his first season in England.

His efforts earned him the runner-up spot in the Footballer of the Year award behind Cristiano Ronaldo and he has become one of the most coveted forwards in the game.

Chelsea were rumoured to be preparing a £50million bid for the player but Hicks insists the Reds would never contemplate selling Torres and told the Daily Telegraph: 'We would never consider it.'

Liverpool Boss Benitez Plays Down His Side's Title Chances

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has played down his side's chances of winning the Premier League next season, describing the title as 'an option'.

The Reds finished fourth in the season just ended, 11 points behind champions Manchester United.

Their last league title came back in 1990 but Benitez did not sound overly confident of ending that depressing streak in 2008/2009.

'It is an option, for sure,' he said.

'We know our weaknesses and our strengths. We know where we need to improve, so we'll try to build a new team looking at these things.

'It's more difficult than in Spain because the top sides spend big, big money. We will try to do our best and the key for me is to not talk about the title.

'The key is to be near the top, to be contenders. If we stay close then I think we are capable of doing it.

'It's more difficult because after two years of Chelsea winning the league and spending big money, United needed to do the same.

'They started spending big money and Arsenal were also spending big money on young players. We are trying to do the same but because they (Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal) are continuing to spend big money, it makes it more difficult to catch up.

'You also see Aston Villa, Newcastle, West Ham and Everton spending money and having strong teams. It's not easy to be in the top four and be contenders but because we have a young squad we can try again.'