Harry In No Hurry To Decide Future

Harry Kewell has been linked with a move to Italian giants Roma - but insists he is "in no rush" to decide his future after leaving Liverpool.

The Australian winger is looking for a new club after seeing out his contract at Anfield.

Kewell has been linked with a possible move to Roma, who have already signed his former Reds team-mate John Arne Riise.

The former Leeds man, who featured for Australia in their 1-0 defeat to China on Sunday, says he is in no rush to decide his future

"I'm on holiday for a week or so and then I'll decide my future," Kewell told Fox Sports. "But for now I'm just going to relax.

"In this day and age, clubs take their time. There's a long way to go and a big process to go through, so I'm in no rush."

When asked specifically about Roma, Kewell replied: "It's a beautiful city. I've been there once when I was younger."

Roma’s Riise Sets New Targets, Thanks Liverpool

Norway full-back John Arne Riise has disclosed that he moved to Roma from Liverpool for a “new experience” and also revealed that he is looking forward to playing alongside ‘idol’ Francesco Totti.

The 27-year-old left-back/left-winger joined the Serie A outfit in a reported £4m deal after spending seven years at Anfield.

With Roma having finished runners-up to Inter last season in the Italian league, Riise is keen that Luciano Spalletti’s side finish top of the tree in the next season.

"We start from second place, and in sport you always work for improvement,” Riisie told Tuttosport. “We must make another step forward.

“For sure the city is beautiful, it is hot and the climate is lovely. Indeed at 9am you are already gasping for air.

“I came here to work hard. Roma are a great club. I needed a new experience, to learn another language, and a new culture. I wanted to make a life-change and for this my thanks go to my friends at Liverpool, to my agent, and to Luciano Spalletti.

“I am curious to get to know Totti, a great, an idol and I believe that with him it will be fun.”

Hughes Eyeing Liverpool And Inter Midfielders

New Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is facing a busy summer in the transfer market with Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun and Inter’s Dejan Stankovic reportedly at the top of his shopping list.

Hughes, who took over from Sven Goran Eriksson, at the club recently is keen to rebuild the side as he looks to improve on last season’s ninth place Premier League finish.

The Welshman is reportedly interested in signing Liverpool’s Benayoun who has failed to hold down a regular place in the starting line up since his transfer from West Ham.

Benayoun, 28, cost the Reds £5 million last summer but made only 15 league starts for Liverpool last season and is considered to be surplus to requirements at Anfield as manager Rafael Benitez seeks to raise funds for his own summer spending spree.

Liverpool are believed to want a fee of around £6 million for their Israeli frontman, although Hughes may face competition from Portsmouth who are also reportedly interested in signing Benayoun.

Dejan Stankovic, meanwhile, is another player attracting Hughes’s interest. The Serbian has been at Inter since 2004, however he has reportedly been told by new manager Jose Mourinho that he can leave the club.

The midfielder is likely to cost somewhere in the region of £8 million but would bring some grit and a wealth of experience with him should he make the move to Manchester.

He has forged a successful career in Italy, playing for Lazio and Inter and collecting four Scudetto titles and a Cup Winners Cup medal along the way. Stankovic is also the captain of his country, Serbia, and has 73 international caps to his name.

Rush Tips Babel To Excel

Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes has tipped winger Ryan Babel to be key in Liverpool’s Premiership title challenge next season.

Babel is eager to get back into Premiership action with a bang after recovering from an ankle injury that ruled him out of Euro 2008.

And Kop idol Rush feels that the 21-year old Dutch starlet could have made a major impact for Holland in the European Championships if the ankle ligament damage had not struck.

The former Wales international is certain that Babel will hit back with a bang next season into action once he recovers from his injury and also stated that Babel would be a big threat to any top-flight defence next season.

"I think Babel will get better and better. It's a shame he's missing the championships because the experience would have done him a world of good,” Rush told Reuters.

"I think we'll be looking for him to get more involved next season and play more games. When he runs at defences he's direct and he's a menace. He's big and strong and we'll see progress from Babel if he's back fully fit.

"He's had a year now in the top league in the world and he knows what it's all about, so hopefully he'll keep getting better."

Babel played in 30 Premiership games during his debut season at Anfield, starting 15 and scoring 5 goals.

Johnson Hails AFC Liverpool

David Johnson has hailed the formation of AFC Liverpool and believes the club could prove to be the modern day alternative to the 'boy's pen.'

The former Reds striker feels the new non-league outfit - who will be playing at Prescot Cables' Valerie Park Ground next season in the Vodkat League - will give supporters with children more chance to afford tickets and, most importantly, provide them with an opportunity to learn the 'Liverpool way.'

"I think it is a great idea," he said on LFC TV's This is Anfield show.

"To have an intermediary where Dads can take their lads, and it is to do with Liverpool Football Club and backed by the club is great.

"Too many times, football has moved on where Dads can no longer afford to take the kids, and in my day that was a massive part of learning the Liverpool Way and learning the songs.

"If Dads can go along with kids and can use it as the Boys Pen and learn the Liverpool Way - well thats good for me.

"I am looking to see where I can get a ticket."

AFC Liverpool Chair Alun Parry was delighted to have the support of a Reds legend.

He said: "We are proud to have David Johnson's support and delighted that he wants a ticket to come and watch us.

"We'd like to advise David that our first ever game is vs St Helens on Wed 16 July.

"It's an all ticket match, and tickets are being sold at News From Nowhere Bookstore, Bold Street, Liverpool.

"We're looking forward to seeing him at the game where he will receive the kind of reception that Liverpool legends can expect from staunch Reds like ourselves."

Liverpool FC's Gareth Barry And David Silva Boost

Rafael Benitez has received a double boost in his bid to raise transfer funds for Gareth Barry and David Silva.

Juventus have re-iterated their intention to go for Xabi Alonso after initially being frightened off by his asking price.

And George Gillett hinted there might be more money available in the transfer window as he and co-owner Tom Hicks are fixing their feud.

But Benitez must generate more funds on top of the £4m for John Arne Riise from Roma if he is to land his targets.

However, Juve’s renewed confidence that they will sign Alonso could yield another £15m for the kitty.

The Italians have been previously put off by Liverpool’s £16m price tag but although they have yet to make an official bid, they will to seek a compromise by coming up from their £14m valuation.

Juventus general manager Jean-Claude Blanc said: “Xabi Alonso? It’s an operation that we’re taking forward and we’ll compare him to other deals which could be done. We’re following more than three footballers. We’re looking for a very talented midfielder – there’s not many of those around and some of them aren’t available.

“We have to talk first with the club and then with the player. Only one of these deals will be done.”

With possible sales of Peter Crouch and Scott Carson also lined up, Benitez seems certain to have the funds to meet Aston Villa’s valuation of Barry, with Liverpool likely to need to bid £18m.

Attempts to sign Spanish midfielder David SIlva will be more difficult, however, with the £20m needed to tempt him away from Valencia beyond Benitez’s current means.

But Gillett did indicate that there could be room for negotiation with the manager as he seeks the strengthening needed for a shot at the Premier League next season.

Gillett said: “All of us are focused on the transfer window and we want to be ready for that, and we want to have adequate resources and good communication with Rafa. Our hope is that we’re making better progress.

“What did I think of last season’s performance? I’d rather let the fans make that decision. But for a club that has a history of winning trophies, any season that you don’t win one of the five or six trophies that we compete for, I suspect the fans, as well as the Hicks and Gilletts, are disappointed.

“But overall I felt that the team played quite well, particularly beginning and late. I think they were very representative and I think (Fernando) Torres was a wonderful selection.

“By summer, I think the rest of the boys played quite well and we have to help Rafa try and be more competitive in the chase for the Premier League.

“It’s fair to say that communication between the Hicks and the Gilletts has been substantially improved and I believe that it will be for the benefit of the club,” said Gillett, whose stance was backed up by sources close to Hicks last night.

He added: “I believe that the Hicks family are communicating better with us and we’re communicating better with them and I think that will be much better for the club.”

Gillett refused to confirm whether this meant he no longer wanted to sell his half of the club to DIC.

Ian Urges Reds To Rush For Villa

Liverpool legend Ian Rush has voiced the sentiment of millions of Reds fans worldwide by saying that he would love to team see Spain's exhilarating strike-tandem of David Villa and Fernando Torres team up at Anfield next year.

Although the Merseyside outfit have recently denied any interest in the white-hot Valencia striker, Rush is convinced that the 26-year-old would be a great addition, even though he would surely cost the club an arm and a leg.

“There’s obviously the financial side of things, but I’d love to see David Villa at Liverpool along with Fernando Torres,” said Rush.

“They combine very well for Spain, they’ve got a good understanding of each other and in an ideal world you’d love to see Villa partner Torres at Anfield as he does for Spain.”

Villa, who currently leads the Euro 2008 scoring charts, has especially been linked with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea and figures of anywhere up to €40m have been mentioned.

In any case, Rush believes that the Reds will be in need of striking reinforcement if Peter Crouch completes his expected departure from Anfield this summer.

“If he stays then fair enough, he gives Liverpool a different option, but we need someone to help Torres out,” Rush concluded.

Fixture List Is Reason For Liverpool To Be Cheerful

It might not have been a blank cheque from the club’s warring American owners but Rafa Benitez must still have been pleasantly surprised with the gift which arrived on the day he celebrated his fourth anniversary as Liverpool manager this week.

The Reds may have to travel on the opening day of the Premier League season for the fifth successive campaign but there was little else to complain about when the fixture computer produced its annual offering.

A trip to Roy Keane’s Sunderland on Saturday, August 16 followed by a home clash with Middlesbrough undoubtedly gives the Reds a great chance to get off to a flyer.

And a glance at his side's fixtures following Champions League matches and international breaks also made good reading for Benitez, especially when compared to those handed to Manchester United.

England play a meaningless friendly against the Czech Republic at Wembley on Wednesday, August 20 but while the Reds plan to entertain Boro the following Saturday, Alex Ferguson must take his side to face FA Cup holders Portsmouth.

In early September the domestic season is interrupted for a fortnight as England begin their World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia.

When it resumes on September 13 - just three days after England have played in Zagreb - the Reds take on United at Anfield in the first battle of the campaign between the 'Big Four'.

As long as the Reds have safely negotiated their way past the qualifying round in August, attention will then turn to the first round of matches in the group stage of the Champions League.

But while United complete a gruelling seven days after their opening European match with a crunch trip to Chelsea, the Reds have the seemingly more straightforward task of entertaining new boys Stoke City.

The Reds' matches following the other five rounds in the Champions League group stage would be Manchester City (away), Chelsea (away), West Brom (home), West Ham (home) and Hull (home).

In contrast United are on their travels after every round of the Champions League with further away days at Blackburn, Everton, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham.

Post European fatigue could just be a telling factor.

On top of that, United's matches against Fulham on August 30 and Wigan on December 20 will need to be re-arranged due to their commitments in the European Super Cup and World Club Championship.

Ferguson, who received the news of the fixtures at his holiday home in the south of France this week, will undoubtedly be deeply unimpressed with his side's schedule.

Benitez has frequently complained about the short time he gets to work with his players after internationals but the Reds are also winners when it comes to Premier League matches following international breaks early next season.

After England's double-header with Kazakhstan and Belarus in October, the Reds resume domestic duty at home to Wigan the following Saturday and United entertain West Brom.

Similarly, after the friendly against Germany in Berlin on November 19, the Reds host Fulham, while United hit the road for a tricky trip to Aston Villa.

Chelsea and Arsenal also have three away games straight after international fixtures.

Benitez's only concern now will be the number of times Sky ask his players to kick off at lunchtime.

It happened nine times in the Premier League last season and was a source of great frustration for the Anfield boss.

However, even that logistical problem should be eased by the fact that so often after European and international games, the Reds will benefit from home advantage this time around.

Of course, it will all count for little if Liverpool toss away points at Anfield as carelessly as they did last season.

But for a manager who prides himself on the small details, Benitez will know that lady luck has smiled on his side ahead of the 2008-09 campaign.

Juventus Still Keen On Xabi Alonso

JUVENTUS general manager Jean-Claude Blanc is still confident of signing Xabi Alonso - despite the Spanish midfielder insisting yesterday he is planning for life at Anfield next season.

Liverpool have been holding out for a transfer fee of 20m euros (£15.75m) for the playmaker, and with Juve struggling to come up with the cash Alonso admitted he was in the dark about his future.

But Blanc still believes Alonso will be at the Stadio Olimpico next season, but claims the Bianconeri also have their eye on other midfielders.

"We're following more than three footballers," Blanc told Sky Italia. "And we'll see if what you read in the papers comes true or the other names we're working on.

"Xabi Alonso? It's an operation that we're taking forward and we'll compare him to other deals which could be done.

"We're looking for a very talented midfielder - there's not many of those around and some of them aren't available. We have to talk first with the club and then with the player.

"Only one of these deals will be done."

Liverpool, meanwhile, will kick-off their pre-season programme with a friendly against cross-river neighbours Tranmere just a week after returning to pre-season training.

A Reds squad will travel to Prenton Park on July 12, 2008 - the first time Liverpool have faced Rovers since the sides met at Prenton Park in an FA Cup quarter-final in 2001.

The last friendly between Liverpool and Tranmere took place in July 1993.

Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore said: "This is a mouth-watering opportunity for our players to test themselves against some world class opposition who have played at the very top level.

"It's a game I know both sets of supporters will look forward to and I'm sure there will be a bumper crowd.

“There are plenty of Tranmere fans who will want to see their team take on some of the best players in the world and Wirral-based Liverpool fans who have the opportunity to see their team in action playing a local club.

"Hopefully it will be a game everybody will enjoy.It should be a fantastic occasion and it is a great way to start our pre-season campaign.

"Rafa has done a fantastic job at Liverpool and has proved he's one of the top managers in the world. It will be a pleasure to put my side up against his.

"It's earlier than usual for us to be playing a friendly at home but we wanted to fit in with Liverpool's schedule."

Liverpool's confirmed pre-season programme so far is now as follows: July 12: v Tranmere Rovers (Prenton Park), July 16: v FC Lucerne (Grenchen), July 19: v Wisla Krakow (Friborg), July 22: v Hertha Berlin (Berlin), July 30: v Villarreal (Villarreal), Aug 2: v Rangers (Glasgow).

Thompson Hails Lee's Reds Move

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes bringing Sammy Lee back into the coaching set-up at Anfield could prove the club's best summer signing.

After playing in the same Liverpool teams as Thompson from the late 70s into the 80s, Lee later replaced his former captain as reserve team boss in 1993.

When Thompson returned to the club alongside Gerard Houllier five years later, Lee moved up to become first team coach before leaving Anfield following the arrival of Rafa Benitez in 2004.

"I don't care who comes in on the playing side, I'm not so sure anyone will better Sammy coming back to Liverpool," Thompson told LFC Magazine. "There's so much to be gained by him coming back. For me, he could be the best signing of the summer.

"I am delighted Sammy is back. In fact I never wanted him to leave in the first place. When I departed my position as assistant manager I expressed my belief that Sammy should have taken the role alongside Rafa.

"But Rafa wanted to bring in his own people, which I fully understand. I just thought it would have been a step in the right direction to appoint Sammy. It didn't happen and he moved on."

Parry Days Numbered As Hicks And Gillett Get Back In Bed

Tom Hicks and George Gillett are slowly making friends in what could not only be a worrying sign for DIC, Liverpool fans worldwide and most of all Rick Parry.

Rick Parry was asked to resign earlier this year by Tom Hicks but George Gillett’s casting vote gave the man a stay of execution.

George Gillett was adamant that he would not be selling his stake to Tom Hicks who wants to take full control of the football club after revealing that ‘most fans don’t want me to do it’.

However speaking to a Canadian radio station, Gillett admitted the relationship was warming, slowly:

“Time is a healer and there were things that had happened previously. It took a while for both of us to realise that we weren’t communicating very well and the huge responsibility we have to the fans to do the right thing for the club.

“I believe that the Hicks family are communicating better with us and we’re communicating better with them and I think that will be much better for the club.

“All of us are focused on the transfer window and we want to be ready for that and we want to have adequate resources and good communication with Rafa and our hope is that we’re making better progress.”

Xabi Alonso Unsure About His Future At Liverpool

Xabi Alonso hopes to have played his way into the plans of Luis Aragonés, the Spain coach, for the European Championship quarter-final against Italy in Vienna on Sunday, but the midfield player remains in the dark about his future at club level, with Liverpool attempting to negotiate his sale to Juventus.

Alonso's agent, Iñaki Ibáñez, has held talks with Juventus over the past fortnight, but the player, who signed a five-year contract with Liverpool last summer, suggested yesterday that he would be happy to stay at Anfield. The situation is complicated, however, by Liverpool's financial position, which means that Rafael Benítez, having already offloaded John Arne Riise to AS Roma, is under pressure to sell Alonso to finance his bid to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

“At the moment, I'm a Liverpool player and I am just focusing on the Euros,” Alonso said. “You will have to ask Liverpool what is happening. I have four more years of my contract and my plans are to start next season with Liverpool unless there is a change. I can't really say any more. It's between the two clubs.”

Alonso was happier to discuss the challenge that Spain face against Italy. Having sat out the first two games in the tournament, the midfield player pressed his claims with an outstanding performance in the 2-1 win over Greece on Thursday, winning the man-of-the-match award, but, whether or not he starts, he knows that his team face a difficult task against Italy, who make a habit of reaching top form during the knockout stages.

“It's going to be tough,” Alonso said. “It isn't the first time that Italy have struggled to get through the group. In 1982, they did the same in the World Cup in Spain and from then they were spectacular in the knockout stages.”

George Gillett Jr And Tom Hicks Try To Patch Up Differences At Liverpool

George Gillett Jr says that he and Tom Hicks, his embattled Liverpool co-owner, are attempting to patch up their relationship for the good of the club.

In an interview with a Canadian radio station, Gillett has claimed that communication between the pair is improving, with both men determined to help the club become more competitive in next season's Premier League.

“It’s fair to say that communication between the Hicks and the Gilletts has been substantially improved and I believe that it will be for the benefit of the club," Gillett said. “Time is a healer and there were things that had happened previously.

"It took a while for both of us to realise that we weren’t communicating very well and the huge responsibility we have to the fans to do the right thing for the club.

“I believe that the Hicks family are communicating better with us and we’re communicating better with them and I think that will be much better for the club.”

The relationship between the men broke down when Gillett refused to sell his 50 per cent stake to Hicks. Gillett had instead wanted to discuss a deal with Dubai International Capital (DIC), the private equity investment arm of the Arab state. Hicks vetoed the move, resulting in an impasse between the owners.

Gillett refused to discuss whether he was still hoping to sell his shares, preferring to iterate his desire to back Rafael Benitez, the club's manager, in the transfer market.

He said: “All of us are focused on the transfer window and we want to be ready for that and we want to have adequate resources and good communication with Rafa and our hope is that we’re making better progress."

When asked for his appraisal of Liverpool's performance last season, he said: "I would rather let the fans make that decision. But for a club that has a history of winning trophies, any season that you don’t win one of the five or six trophies that we compete for, I suspect the fans, as well as the Hicks and Gilletts, are disappointed.

“But overall I felt that the team played quite well, particularly beginning and late. I think they were very representative and I think Torres was a wonderful selection.

“By summer I think the rest of the boys played quite well and we have to help Rafa try and be more competitive in the chase for the Premiership.”

Liverpool Target David Silva From Valencia

Manager Rafa Benitez is preparing a bid for the winger after losing patience in his pursuit of Espanyol's Albert Riera and Newcastle's James Milner.

Valencia, in a precarious financial position, with reports suggesting they are having to pay out £20 million a month for repayments and interest on their new stadium, had initially placed a £20m price tag on the 22-year-old's head.

However, Benitez is hopeful he will be able to land the player for half the price.

Another ace up Benitez's sleeve is his chief scout Eduardo Macia.

Macia was working at Valencia when Silva broke through the ranks, and has close links to the Spanish international.

Publicly, Valencia insist they do not want to lose one of their most influential players, but privately they are reported to have contacted several clubs throughout Europe to gauge interest in Silva and David Villa

Villa is also on Benitez's wish list, although Liverpool's manager has so far been out off by the £30m price tag.

Rafa To Give Up On Barry For New Targets?

Rafa Benitez may be considering ripping up his plans for the summer after growing exasperated with the 'ludicrous' fees demanded for his original transfer targets.

Both The Daily Mirror and Guardian claim that Benitez has added the name of David Silva to his wish-list despite previous indications that buying the £20m-rated Spanish star would be beyond Liverpool's means. The disclosure that Benitez is interested in signing the Spaniard may signal a dramatic shift in focus or could be an act of brinkmanship from the Spaniard after being repeatedly rebuffed in his attempts to sign Gareth Barry.

Liverpool's latest bid for the midfielder was rejected late last week and if they shelved their interest then Villa would be in an invidious position. Although Barry has confirmed his determination to leave, Liverpool are, as yet, the only club to make an offer for his services. Despite speculation to the contrary, neither Arsenal nor Chelsea have showed any interest in acquiring the Villa captain.

Were Benitez to use the money earmarked for the purchase of Barry in order to pursue Silva then the player may look favourably on a transfer to Anfield. The player is described as being 'close' to Liverpool's chief scout, Eduardo Macia, who coached him through Valencia's youth system, while cash-strapped Valencia could be persuaded to sell for less than £20m.

Benitez's own money problems are easing, with his coffers increased by £4m this week following the sale of John Arne Riise to Roma. Scott Carson, Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant are also available for transfer.

Liverpool To Visit Ibrox In Pre-season

Rangers will meet Liverpool in a friendly at Ibrox on August 2, a week before the Scottish Premier League campaign begins, in an echo of last year's pre-season visit by Chelsea.

Rangers' chief executive, Martin Bain, commented: "We are pleased to confirm Liverpool will be heading to Ibrox as part of our pre-season programme in early August.

"Like Rangers, they are a club with a rich history and tradition and I know our fans will enjoy watching players of the calibre of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

We enjoyed a terrific game with Chelsea last pre-season and Liverpool will provide another great test for Walter Smith and his players as they prepare for the new campaign.

"The visit of a side from the north-west of England will also provide Rangers with an opportunity to generate positive publicity in that neck of the woods after their Uefa Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester last month was accompanied by unruly and violent scenes in the city centre when crowd control and live screening arrangements broke down.

The staging of the event has been the subject of an investigation by Manchseter City Council, which has also identified a likely total of 180,000 visitors for the game and a benefit to the local economy of £20million.

Merseyside Rivals To Battle For Rising Star

Liverpool and Everton are reported to be competing for the signature of Leicester City's Joe Mattock.

The Daily Express reports that Mattock, 18, will be leaving the midlands club in the near future.

Gareth McAuley just recently left the Foxes, who were relegated to League One this season and have since lost their manager Ian Holloway.

Mattock, 18, is thought to have attracted interest from both Liverpool and Everton, with team-mates Richard Stearman and Pat Kisnorbo also being linked with an exit from Walkers' Stadium.

The youngster has played at under-21 leven for England and is rated as one of the best young defenders outside the Premier League.

Leicester owner Milan Mandaric is thought to be resigned to losing many of his star players as well as promising youngsters, and it could just be a matter of which club entices the youngster more, with rumours that he will be available for less than £1 million, due to the Foxes' relegation.

How Bill Shankly’s Desk May Have Changed Football

The desk Bill Shankly sat at to write out a furious resignation letter in 1964 is to go under the auctioneer’s hammer in Liverpool.

The roll-top desk is included in a bundle of artefacts that will be sold by Cato Crane next week.

It comes from a collection gathered together by former player, coach and club stalwart Tom Bush, who spent 37 years at Anfield.

His son, Alan, explained the desk was bound up in a power struggle between the board and the manager that has a resonance in today’s Premiership.

He said: “In 1962, Johnny Morrissey, a tough little Liverpool lad and striker, was sold to Everton by the Liverpool chairman TV Williams.

“Bill was so incensed he not been consulted that he typed his resignation out and left it on the desk.

“Walking out of the club he met my father, Tom, and Bob Paisley in the car park. Bill told them he had resigned and they were shocked.

“They made him go back into the club and they persuaded him not to resign. My father removed the letter and destroyed it.

“They then spoke to the club secretary the following day, and TV Williams effectively relinquished his power. He never bought or sold another player.

“That was the moment that managers began really to manage, and it was because of the stand that Bill took.

“It’s something that has been kept ‘in house’ at the club for years, and this desk is at the centre of it.”

When Mr Bush got hold of the desk nearly 40 years ago, he found a bundle of papers tucked at the back. They turned out to include some real gems, and the job lot will be auctioned off next Tuesday.

They include a match receipt from an FA cup tie between Liverpool and Everton, which reveals that Liverpool earned £2,607, 9 shillings from the gate.

There is also a “Liverpool Ladies Itinerary” for the players’ wives and girlfriends attending the Liverpool versus Arsenal FA Cup Final in 1950.

The schedule is likely to make today’s WAGs raise a well-sculpted eyebrow.

It includes a seaside visit to Brighton and Reigate as part of a tour that departed Liverpool Lime Street at 8.30am sharp on cup final Saturday.

The 1950s WAGs were put up in a Great Northern Hotel, the pocket-sized cardboard itinerary reveals.

Best of all may be a handwritten note from chairman George Richards to Don Welsh offering him the job as manager at LFC.

A simple three-page letter on headed notepaper in copper-plate script doubles up as Welsh’s contract, for which he would receive an extra £500 for winning the FA Cup or league championship.

Mr Bush said: “This was all the bits of administrative ‘rubbish’ in the back of the desk. In 1970, I was a student at Liverpool University and I was working at Anfield when they were building the new stand.

“I was in one part of the building and in the corner was this desk, in bits, I remembered from when I was a boy.

“It had been used by all the post-war managers up to then. I brought it home and got a furniture restorer to fix it up.”

Mr Bush wants the entire bundle of artefacts to be sold together and it is understood a representative from Liverpool FC Museum has been to look at it.

Auctioneer John Crane said: “The collection is so important, it would be a shame to spilt it up.”

He values the lot at upwards of £1,500.

Greek Option For Reds Target

Albert Riera is seen as a viable transfer target for Liverpool, but the Spanish press claims that Panathinaikos have offered the midfielder a three-year contract worth £3.2 million.

Former Manchester City ace Riera has been linked to a return to The Premier League, following a superb season with Espanyol.

His Catalonian employers are ready to cash-in on the 26-year-old, who is believed to be interested in the Greek offer, but only if his brother Sito is part of the deal.

The striker is playing for Espanyol’s ‘B’ team after having joined from city rivals Barcelona in the summer of 2007.

Panathinaikos are believed to have been rebuffed with an £8 million bid, as Espanyol demand a minimum of £12 million.

It is clear that Riera wants out of Espanyol, after being targeted by a section of the club’s fans.

“I’m not going to play for Espanyol any more,” he said. “I don’t want to play for a club where the fans don’t want me.”

Riise Ends His Anfield Career

John Arne Riise’s Liverpool career finally came to an end last night when Roma confirmed his signing.

The Norwegian left-back was in Italy for talks yesterday and agreed personal terms to complete the move on a four-year deal worth £2.2million.

Liverpool had looked set to recoup the £4.6m they paid Monaco for him in 2001 but the clubs reached a compromise on the player’s valuation, which was revealed as just short of £4m by the Italian club.

A Roma statement said: “AS Roma announce they have reached an agreement with Liverpool Football Club for the acquisition of the sporting rights of the player John Arne Riise with effect from July 1 2008.”

The departure of Riise, 27, had been inevitable since the second half of last season when a loss of form saw him lose his place to Fabio Aurelio.

And Rafael Benitez’s pursuit of Andrea Dossena, whose arrival from Udinese is imminent, also indicated that Riise’s days were numbered.

The Liverpool manager has been hoping for the right price for the player and will use the money to fund summer squad strengthening – but he needs to see more moves materialise that will boost his transfer kitty.

No fee has yet been agreed for Xabi Alonso as Juventus ponder their offer for the midfielder, and that saga won’t be resolved before the end of Spain’s involvement in Euro 2008.

Portsmouth are still weighing up an offer for Peter Crouch but Liverpool will expect in the region of £10m for the England international striker.

They will also listen to offers for Scott Carson following his return from a season’s loan at Aston Villa – whose holding out for at least £18m for Gareth Barry is central to Benitez’s desire to offload his players at the right price.

Carson’s need for first team football is likely to lead to Benitez also having to search for a reliable second-choice goalkeeper to back up Pepe Reina.

Maik Taylor was one target but the Northern Ireland international revealed why he snubbed Anfield to sign a new contract with relegated Birmingham City.

“With an offer on the table from the club, it was always going to be the case that I would stay really,” Taylor said.

“It was flattering that Liverpool showed a lot of interest and of course I gave it serious consideration.

“Liverpool could offer the Champions League and everything else, but it would have been a situation as a number two and a year’s contract as well.

“Scott Carson has gone back there now as well. There was talk of him going to Villa after his loan, but that has not materialised.

“I still have a big desire to play and, as long as I keep my form and fitness, that’s more likely here.”