Rafa Benitez 'Could Replace Jose Mourinho At Inter Milan'

The Spaniard's future at Liverpool is unclear, as he is known to have an uneasy relationship with the club's American owners.

It had been thought he would quit Anfield at the end of the Premier League season and accept a big-money offer to take charge at Juventus.

According to the Sun, Juventus are not the only Italian club interested in securing Benitez's services.

Inter Milan have also been in touch with his agent to find out whether he will be available this summer.

The Serie A champions are currently managed by Jose Mourinho, who has guided them to the Champions League final.

They are keen to retain Mourinho's services, but are aware that the ex-Chelsea boss is a target for Real Madrid and fear they cannot compete with the salary package and transfer war chest the Spanish club can offer.

Should Mourinho choose Real Madrid, it appears Benitez will be high on the list of potential successors at the San Siro.

Meanwhile, Juventus are also reported to be considering abandoning their bid for Benitez and making a move for Fulham boss Roy Hodgson instead.

Hodgson is well known in Italy, having previously managed both Inter Milan and Udinese.

Barcelona Presidential Candidate Sandro Rosell Working On Deal For Fernando Torres

Barcelona president-elect Sandro Rosell has reportedly contacted Fernando Torres' representatives to enquire about the possibility of taking the Liverpool striker to the Camp Nou in the future.

The Daily Mail reports that Rosell, who is one of the leading candidates to replace Joan Laporta as Barca president this summer, has enquired about the chances of Torres being keen on a move to the Catalans and supposedly received a favourable response.

Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be in the race for Torres' signature as reports continue to link the Spain international with an Anfield exit.

Various rumours have suggested that Torres is looking for a way out of the club after a disappointing season and is seemingly unwilling to commit his future to the Reds with so much uncertainty surrounding boss Rafael Benitez and whether he will remain as manager next term.

The report goes on to suggest that the deal could hinge on Barca landing Valencia's David Villa, with Laporta supposedly hoping to seal a deal for the Los Che striker before the World Cup.

With the La Liga giants likely to be required to part with at least £35 million to acquire the services of Spain star Villa, the necessary funds to secure the signing of Torres would seemingly be unavailable if a deal was to be struck.

Premier League Chief Backs Liverpool's Spirit of Shankly Campaign

Liverpool fans group Spirit of Shankly claim the Premier League has given its blessing to Liverpool fans to continue their campaign against the club’s owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Members of SOS, the Liverpool supporters union, met with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore at the league’s Gloucester Place headquarters in London yesterday to air their concerns about the way in which the club is being run.

And while the Premier League reportedly backed the ongoing protests, they claim the debts amassed by Hicks and Gillett are currently sustainable.

Liverpool is currently £237million in the red. Concerns grew stronger recently with the revelation the Anfield club registered record annual losses of £55m for the year ending July 2009 and is paying £110,000 a day in interest payments.

SOS spokesman, Jay McKenna, said: “Richard Scudamore suggested we keep on campaigning. He understood the fans are unhappy and want some answers. That was a positive to come from the meeting.”

The four-man delegation from the SOS executive committee met with Scudamore and the Premier League’s head of communications, Dan Johnson, and head of supporter relations, Cathy Long.

Although the Premier League admitted there is little they can do at present to help worried fans, Scudamore revealed steps have been taken to encourage responsible ownership of clubs in the future.

Added McKenna: “They were quite receptive to our concerns but it was clear that, as things stand, the Premier League’s powers are limited.

“The fit and proper persons test they apply to prospective owners isn’t subjective. What Tom Hicks and George Gillett are like as people doesn’t come into it.

“But they told us they have looked into some of the issues affecting, not only Liverpool, but other clubs in the league. They have come up with proposals to change the fit and proper persons test, which are to be heard at the league’s summer AGM.

“We told them we see the level of debt at the club as unsustainable. The Premier League response was that the future of the club is currently safe and they’re satisfied that Liverpool can fulfil its obligations to the league.

“That’s based on the current value of the club and the fact that, although we’re losing money, we are sustainable by the value of our assets such as players who can be sold down the line. This idea of sustainability it somewhat different from ours.”

Hicks and Gillett officially put Liverpool up for sale last month with British Airways chairman Martin Broughton being drafted in to help speed up the process.

While SOS are committed to the removal of the Americans they also requested guarantees from the Premier League that a similar situation will not be allowed to occur with new owners or investors.

“We want to make sure this situation wouldn’t happen again,” explained McKenna. “The Premier League have tried to give us assurances. But at the moment club chairmen have to agree to the changes the league would like to implement.

“It’s dependent on those who own football clubs to agree to the changes or not.

“Our plans now are to keep up the pressure on Hicks and Gillett to make sure we are listened to. We also want to make sure the Premier League take action to prevent this happening again.”

John Aldridge: I Fear Fernando Torres Will Be Sold

There is a sense of relief that the season is over but also a fear for the future.

It all got a bit monotonous towards the end. By our standards, it was horrendous.

Throughout it all it’s been quite apparent which players care and those who don’t.

Now is the time to get rid of any deadwood and bring in some of the young lads who have been brought up in the traditions of the club.

I reckon we could raise about £30million by selling off those who I would deem surplus to requirements.

We should use that money to bring in a couple of quality players and combine them with the rest of the squad and the likes of Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly and Stephen Darby; good, young players who care.

It’s not like there will be loads of transfer cash at the manager’s disposal – whoever that is.

Rafa Benitez’s situation is still up in the air. Either way it needs to be sorted sooner rather than later so we can move on and plan for next season.

My biggest concern, though, is that Fernando Torres will be forced out.

I’ve got a horrible feeling about it.

The Americans aren’t too concerned about matters on the pitch. So with spiralling debts and no sign of selling the club any time soon, cashing in on Torres is their quickest way of easing the burden of debt they’ve placed on the club.

You could apply the same logic to Steven Gerrard but it’s Torres who seems the most likely to be put up for auction.

Of course, the player would be totally blameless if it came to that but I fear that little, if any, of the funds raised by a sale would be used for squad strengthening.

I hope I’m wrong.

The best case scenario would be to start the new season with the squad we’ve got now – minus the deadwood and plus one or two new additions – while the banks force the owners into a quick sale.

Here’s hoping.

Liverpool FC Record Breaker Jack Robinson Provides A Ray Of Sunshine

IT has been a hugely testing season for everyone at Anfield so, with that in mind, it is vital to seize upon any possible source of good news that becomes public.

For those who ventured to Hull last Sunday, the good news arrived in the 86th minute when Jack Robinson became the youngest player in Liverpool’s history.

Given that he is only 16 – and 256 days, to be precise – it would be unfair to burden him with expectation.

All that can be said, then, is that it is hoped that appearance will be the first of many for Robinson, who understandably was beaming from ear to ear as he left the KC Stadium.

Should he remain focused, there is no reason why he can’t figure again next year.

Liverpool Need Stabilising To Avoid Repeat Of Dismal Season

The end of a truly dismal season should provide Liverpool fans with some much-needed relief.
The Anfield club’s season came to a whimpering end with a goalless draw at Hull City last Sunday. Alberto Aquilani and Nabil El Zhar came close to unlocking an unreliable Tiger’s defence but fittingly the match ended in frustration for the Reds, in line with the reoccurring theme of the whole season.

It has been a campaign riddled with disappointment.

In recent weeks Rafael Benítez has defended his side claiming the expectations were too high last August. However a second place finish in the previous season coupled with a club record Premier League points tally, the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and an in-form Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were inevitably going to sweep optimism across Merseyside.

The sale of Xabi Alonso, a host of poor acquisitions, disputes with the hierarchy at the club have all been cited as factors which have led to the culmination of an abysmal season. The hefty charge that the owners have placed hovering over the club has only added to the sense of impending doom.

This summer will be vital for Liverpool. The willingness of George Gillette and Tom Hicks to sell the club means that club will be facing a potential overhaul in the coming months. Martin Broughton, the newly installed chairman, has warned that the process of finding investors could take the best part of 12 months.

But it does provide the supporters with at least some hope that the current financial uncertainty at the club can be stabilised.

The debate is raging over whether Benítez should remain on as Liverpool manager. Juventus had entered the fray as potential suitors to the Spanish manager but in recent days the 50-year-old seems to have rebuked their advances.

“I want to stay it would never be easy to leave this club,” he said after the Hull match. “I had a meeting with the chairman the other day and it was positive, hopefully we will have another meeting this week and see if it gets done and dusted.”

So will the powers that be at Anfield be willing to delve into the already-stretched coffers and provide Benítez with funds for much needed investment in playing staff? The former Valencia manager has been widely criticised for his signings during his five year tenure.

For every Pepe Reina, Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, there have been three or four hapless flops. Names like Josemi, Jan Kromkamp and Andrea Dossena make the illustrious list. The futures of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are far from secured with the departure of Liverpool’s prized jewels a real possibility.

According to The Guardian, the financial situation is perilous at Anfield and the Premier League has sought assurances that Liverpool will be able to fulfil their fixtures next season and not go bust. Recent figures suggest the five-time European champions are £350 million in debt.

Clearly then a new investor in urgently needed to steady the club. Liverpool must be stabilised over the summer in order to avoid another dysfunctional season.

Burglars Told Steven Gerrard's Wife They Would Take Her Kids'

The wife of the footballer Steven Gerrard was told by burglars they would ''take her kids'' in a terrifying raid on their home, a court heard.

Alex Curran confronted the masked gang, who demanded she hand over jewellery and the contents of a safe, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

Details of the ordeal emerged after Martin Wilson, 22, changed his plea and admitted the burglary following legal arguments.

Graham Pickavance, for the prosecution, told the court the robbery took place in December 2007 as the Reds captain led his team to victory in a Champions League game against Marseille.

Ms Curran, 27, had remained at the home in Formby, Merseyside, with their two children, Lilly-Ella and Lexie, now aged six and four, and their nanny Lyndsey Johnston.

Mr Pickavance described the mansion as secured by high walls, a fence and electronically-controlled gates.

He said the two women and the children were in their bedrooms when, at about 9.30pm, a loud smash was heard from downstairs.

He said: ''Alexandra Curran left her bedroom and met Lyndsey Johnston at the top of the stairs.

''Miss Johnston said she thought somebody had got into the house and as they looked they saw a group of men walking into the hallway.''

The barrister said Miss Curran shouted to the men ''leave now''.

But the thieves raced up the stairs and one of them demanded ''Where's the ------- safe?'' and ''Where's the ------- jewellery?''.

Ms Curran told the men there was no safe and jewellery was not kept at the house.

One of the gang then directed another to ''get the blade out of the car'', before telling Ms Curran: ''If you don't tell us where the safe is, we'll take the kids.''

Mr. Pickavance said Miss Curran told the men the safe was in a cupboard downstairs so they then "dragged" her with them to look.

They also forced her to hand over the silver Rolex watch she was wearing.

He added: "The men attempted to take the safe but they could not move it very far because it was too heavy. So they began to ransack the room."

He said Miss Johnston picked up a telephone but was caught before she was able to get through to the emergency services.

She told the raiders she had made contact with the police so they demanded access to the CCTV system at the house.

Miss Curran, the court heard, told them she did not know how to access the system.

The gang then ran out of the house through French windows to the patio which had been smashed when they gained entry.

Police caught up with Wilson by analysing the use of his mobile phone, the court heard.

The defendant is serving six years and eight months in jail after admitting conspiracy to burgle at Liverpool Crown Court last June.

A mobile phone he used during one of those robberies, in which he and five others targeted the homes of wealthy Merseyside families, was also used close to the Gerrard home on the night it was raided, technical evidence showed.

Are ‘Senior Sources’ Undermining Rafael Benitez At Anfield?

Rafa Benitez often apologises for a faltering command of the English language. Utterly unnecessarily. Because his use of rhetorical irony in a cutting post-match press conference at Hull City last Sunday was almost Shakespearean.

Six times the Reds boss used the phrase ‘senior sources’.

That’s one more than Mark Antony used in turning a Roman crowd against the noble Brutus – his buzz phrase was “an honourable man” – and it was enough to give Reds fans even more cause for concern.

Despite dispensing with one chief executive he couldn’t work with, Rafa still appears unable to form an open, trusting relationship with the Reds board.

That was painfully transparent at the KC Stadium last Sunday.

“If I stay, I am not thinking about selling Gerrard and Torres – just in case ‘senior sources’ say different things,” he muttered.

He went on: “It depends. ‘Senior sources’ maybe will say different, but it has been the same in the history of football.”

And there was more.

Six separate references to ‘senior sources’ in fact, all of them heavily ironic.

The inference is clear. The Liverpool manager thinks ‘senior sources’ at Liverpool are briefing the media against him.

So is Rafa paranoid?

Does he see shadows on grassy knolls?

Or are there ‘senior sources’ out to get him?

Of course Rafa himself could be the problem.

His track record for falling out with senior executives at football clubs is impressive.

Jesus Pitarch at Valencia, Rick Parry at Liverpool, George Gillett (although few would criticise him for picking that particular fight), and now un-named ‘senior sources.’

Maybe he’s a manager who thrives on creative tension.

Or perhaps he is being undermined.

As Rafa might say, let’s examine the ‘facts’.

A story was ‘broken’ by the BBC on Tuesday May 4.

“Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has cancelled two scheduled face-to-face meetings with the club’s new chairman, Martin Broughton,” ran the report.

It inferred that Benitez was stalling for time while Juventus courted him.

It certainly painted the Reds boss in a poor light.

If Benitez was irritated so were we, because it appeared we’d ‘missed’ a juicy tale. Except it seems there was no ‘story’ to miss.

A first meeting, scheduled for April 20, was called off because an unexpected cloud of volcanic ash spreading across Europe meant that Rafa Benitez had to spend 48 hours on a train with his players rather than two hours on a plane.

No problem. No-one could have foreseen Mount Eyjafjallajökull erupting.

The next meeting was scheduled for 24 hours before the visit of Chelsea – until Martin Broughton decided he wouldn’t be coming back to Merseyside for the Chelsea game because of his already publicised footballing allegiances.

So no opportunity to squeeze a meeting in there then.

Still no major problem, until the story on the BBC website, which spread in this internet age like a particularly vicious virus.

Forgive me if I’m seeing shadows on grassy knolls now, but it looks like someone was briefing the Beeb against the Liverpool manager.

And further scrutiny of the article shows it was someone inside the Anfield boardroom.

“There is some surprise inside the Anfield boardroom at the timing of Benitez’s call on Tuesday for an urgent meeting with Broughton to discuss the future,” added the BBC story.

There have been other ‘leaks.’

“It is known around Anfield that Christian Purslow has talked to Benítez about his style of management, notably his cold detachment from the players,” wrote the Daily Telegraph last November, adding: “Liverpool can afford to sack Benítez. Compensation would be less than £5 million under the ‘mitigating the loss’ principle if he found employment.”

It doesn’t take a huge leap to work out where the Telegraph might have got their compensation figure from.

That story and the BBC ‘revelation’ may not be linked. Liverpool board members have always spoken to the media – and even after foul-mouthed Tom junior’s resignation there are still several board members remaining.

But board members who brief against a manager should beware.

Remember Noel White?

He spent 21 years at Anfield before falling on his sword for criticising Benitez in a newspaper article.

At the time Benitez said: “The important thing is the club, and such things as this do not normally happen here. This is a big club and there is a way of doing things here.”

That was four years ago. Has that way of doing things gone for good?

It was Bill Shankly who effectively labelled Anfield directors as simply men who sign the cheques.

Rightly or wrongly, that’s an image which has persisted.

Even those Reds fans who want Rafa Benitez out have a huge well of emotion for the man, largely inspired by one emotional night in Istanbul.

Any ‘senior sources’ inside Anfield who try to take him on will do so at their peril.

Javier Mascherano's Liverpool Contract Talks Delayed Until After 2010 World Cup

Javier Mascherano's contract negotiations with Liverpool have been delayed until after he returns from the World Cup, according to a report from Press Association.

The Argentinian midfielder has been in talks with the club for three months over a new deal, with progress believed to have been encouraging. But with the club having released players for the summer and Mascherano scheduled to join the Albicelestes' World Cup preparations, the club have been forced to suspend further negotiations until after he returns from the tournament in South Africa.

Last summer Mascherano was heavily linked with a move to Spanish side Barcelona, with the enforcer seemingly receptive to the rumours. But after re-affirming his commitment to the club this season Liverpool were hopeful that he would follow in the footsteps of goalkeeper Jose Reina — who signed a new six-year deal at Anfield last month — and secure his long-term future at the club. Now they are set for an anxious wait for Mascherano to return to the bargaining table ahead of next season.

The news will be another blow to manager Rafael Benitez, who is already concerned that his squad will struggle at the beginning of next season. Liverpool's seventh place finish in the Premier League means they will be entered in the third qualifying round of the Europa League next season, which kicks off at the end of July — just 18 days of the World Cup final, which might involve one or more Reds players.

"We have to prepare. We have pre-season more or less organised and we now have to analyse carefully the schedule and see if we can organise the fixtures properly," Benitez said.

"Last year we had too many players away with the Confederations Cup (also in South Africa) so the teams are suffering with these tournaments and every year it is more and more so it is not easy."

Liverpool Ready Move for £8m Bundesliga Starlet: Rafa Shows Interest In Mesut Ozil

Liverpool are hoping to make a successful move for German international starlet Mesut Ozil this summer. Rafa Benitez is a big fan of the Werder Bremen attacker and hopes that he can convince the Bundesliga club to accept an offer in the region of £8m for the 21 year old.

The former Schalke man reportedly has just one year left on his contract and may well be interested in a move to the Premier League and would no doubt be excited by interest shown in him by the Anfield outfit.

Rafa Benitez is looking for more creativity in his midfield and is apparently most interested in Ozil’s ability to play in a number of different positions. The well built Bremen man can play across the midfield as well as effectively on both wings but perhaps most interestingly can be used in the hole behind the strikers.

A number of sides are reportedly interested in Ozil with Arsenal being one side who has repeatedly linked with a move for his services and has been in sparkling form this term weighing in with nine goals and 17 assists which have helped his side to a third placed finish and a coveted Champions League spot.

Roma Like Yossi Benayoun, But He Has A Contract With Liverpool

Yossi Benayoun is likely to stay at Liverpool, despite growing interest from Roma, says agent Ronen Katzav.

Reports have linked the Israeli midfielder with an end of season move to the Scudetto hopefuls. And while the agent is aware of Roma's interest, he says a move there is not in the offing.

"We have not been contacted by Roma," Katzav told forzaromainfo.

"We know about an interest from Roma, and there has been plenty of talk about this, but we have not had any contact with the directors.

"Roma would be nice, but my client has a contract with Liverpool and he is fine in England."

Real Madrid And Inter To Battle It Out For Steven Gerrard

Real Madrid and Inter are hot on the trail of Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, according to El Mundo Deportivo.

Inter are keen to bring in the English international as Nerazzurri boss coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly been a long time admirer of the Reds star and he could be a good fit alongside the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Esteban Cambiasso.

Meanwhile, the report suggests that Real Madrid have already set aside a bid of €26 million for the 29-year-old after their disappointing Champions League campaign.

Should he join Real Madrid it would throw Kaka's future at the Santiago Bernabeu in doubt, but also give Gerrard the chance to link up with former team-mate Xabi Alonso in the centre of the pitch.

Whether the England star will indeed be leaving Anfield is another question, but several members of the press feel that it is a possibility after the team's disappointing season.

Liverpool Close On Deal To Sign Rangers Defender Danny Wilson

Liverpool are closing in on a £2.5million deal for Danny Wilson - and his Rangers defensive partner Madjid Bougherra hopes to follow him to Anfield

Wilson, 18, has only one year remaining on his contract with the Scottish Premier League champions. Rangers boss Walter Smith has admitted defeat in getting the centre-back to put pen to paper and has sanctioned his sale which will go through in June, The Liverpool Echo has reported.

Wilson has enjoyed a breakthrough season and recently claimed both the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' Association Young Player awards.

Bougherra enjoyed a spell in the Premier League with Charlton Athletic and has targeted Liverpool as the outfit he wants to return to. He is currently training with Algeria's World Cup squad in Switzerland.

His agent Farid Raayad claims Liverpool have expressed an interest in his services.

Bougherra added: “If a big team comes in and Rangers accept an offer for me that is destiny."

Dalla Valle Scoops Award

Lauri Dalla Valle's Sunderland stunner has been named as the Reserves' Goal of the Season following a fans' vote on Liverpoolfc.tv.

The Finnish starlet netted our second-string's final strike of 2009-10 with the only goal of the game against the Black Cats earlier this month.

His effort claimed 31 per cent of the vote to secure the accolade.

Dalla Valle saw off competition from Daniel Pacheco, whose perfectly executed free-kick against Burnley clinched second with 14 per cent.

The Spaniard's Manchester City volley came joint third along with Nathan Eccleston's curler against Blackburn on the opening day of the campaign. Both goals claimed 11 per cent of the vote.

‘No-one Is Bigger Than Liverpool FC' - Robbie Fowler's Message To Rafa Benitez

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has warned Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez that “no-one is bigger than the club.”

Benitez brought Fowler back to Anfield for an emotional second spell four years ago, but his own position has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks.

And Fowler, now playing for Perth Glory in Australia, said: “I was always grateful to him (Benitez) for bringing me back, so I always have a bit of a soft spot for him, but at the end of the day it’s a big club and no one is bigger than the club.

“First and foremost we want to be winning trophies and to be the top dogs. It’s a tricky situation. I don’t want to be sat here saying he has got to go, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

“I just want Liverpool to do well, whether it’s Rafa there or someone else there I don’t really mind.

“First and foremost Liverpool is Liverpool and I think we deserve to be top of the table every year. Whoever is in charge has a big job on their hands.”

With his own playing days coming to a close, Fowler revealed he is looking to turn to coaching himself and has ambitiously pointed to the top job at Anfield as his dream appointment.

The 35-year-old striker is currently playing in Australia’s domestic league where he is contracted for at least one more season with Perth Glory, so any move into coaching is still some way off.

Fowler is also yet to earn his coaching badges and while he admits his dream to manage Liverpool is “a million miles away” should it one day happen it would not be the first time he has made a shock return to a club where he is revered.

World Cup 2010 Betting

The first World Cup Tournament was held in Uruguay in 1930 and was won by the hosts and since then there has been some great tournaments. Brazil hold the record for the most wins with five having won first in 1958 and most recently in 2002.

With the 2010 South Africa World Cup fast approaching we are only too aware that all you football punters out there are looking for those little tips that might help you make your 2010 summer that bit more lucrative. We are going to be trying to give you those little pointers right here over the coming months that may well give you the upper hand over the bookies when you are ready to try some World Cup Betting.

The 2010 World Cup is slightly different as this is the first World Cup that has been played on African soil so there is no history to judge the winner on. The weather may well play a key part as teams like England, Germany and France may benefit as the tournament will take place in the South African winter which should give cooler temperatures.

One good pointer to keep in mind when making your World Cup selection is the astonishing fact that no European team has ever won the World Cup when the tournament has been hosted outside of Europe. For instance, when the World Cup was hosted by United States in 1994 and South Korea/Japan in 2002, Brazil was the eventual winner on both occasions.

This is a stat that is reeled out every time the tournament comes around but it is unlikely to be a coincidence as it is constantly proved over and over again. The old adage is that the European teams do not travel well and if the trend continues then punters need to be looking outside of the European teams in South Africa and this may in turn affect the odds provided by online betting web sites.

Tommy Smith: Jamie Carragher Deserves To Be In England's 2010 World Cup Squad

I couldn’t be more delighted to see Jamie Carragher called up into the England World Cup squad. And the rest of the country should be celebrating with me too.

Jamie’s no big head, that’s for sure. But he is a great player full of self belief and confidence in his abilities and when ex-England boss Steve McLaren repeatedly snubbed him, Jamie’s self-respect and his desire to devote himself totally to Liverpool FC told him he should quit international football.

But now Fabio Capello has made it crystal clear he knows exactly how good a player he is and barring a cruel injury or a major U-turn from the England coach, I’m sure Anfield’s vice captain with be on that plane to South Africa now.

If there’s one thing the Italians can spot it is a top international quality defender. And that’s exactly what Jamie is.

In a dreadful season for Liverpool, he’s given everything he’s got – once again.

He’s a superb tackler, can head the ball well and isn’t afraid to get rid of it unceremoni- ously when required, rather than play fancy football in dangerous areas near his own goal.

His passing, long and short, is far better than he ever gets credit for and he’s also one of the best readers of the game I’ve ever seen, as well as one of the best footballers ever to have played for Liverpool.

On top of all that, plus his vast experience, Jamie is an extra captain on the pitch and can play right across the back four.

So to me, taking him to the South Africa is a no brainer and I’m made up he has jumped at the chance to get involved again.

I never made a final World Cup Squad – so I hope Jamie now savours every moment if he gets out there.

In fact, I remember being in Alf Ramsey’s initial 30 man squad for Mexico in 1970 – and only found out I hadn’t made the final cut when I walked into a shop and read it in the Echo!

It was a huge blow – but Shanks picked me up and told me we’d win far more at Anfield than England and Ramsey ever would.

Jamie’s been brilliant in a rotten season for the Reds. I’m chuffed for you, Jamie lad!

Pepe Reina deserves to be Spain’s number one

Another player who’s never been in any doubt that he was heading to South Africa is Pepe Reina.

But unless injury befalls Iker Casillas, it looks like Pepe will spend most of his time on the bench for Spain.

Casillas is a great keeper but I think he’s slipped from the standards he set earlier in his career, whereas Pepe just keeps getting better and better.

If he gets a chance, not only will he take it, but I believe he could hang on to the shirt.

Pepe, like Jamie Carragher, has been superb for Liverpool in this awful season and has stood out with his passion and commitment to the club.

He fully deserves his player of the season honour at Anfield.

On top of that, Pepe has now come out and told the owners to do one – and do it quickly – which is just what every Liverpool fan is demanding of the Americans.

That takes bottle for a player to say. But Pepe clearly loves the club and, rain or shine, is determined to speak his mind and commit his future to what will hopefully be brighter days ahead.

Like Jamie he too fully deserves to be out there on the world stage.

Kuyt Sets Reds Target

Dirk Kuyt admits it is crucial Liverpool get themselves back in the UEFA Champions League next season.

The Reds missed out on Europe's premier competition this season after finishing in seventh spot in their worst finish in 11 years.

It is feared Liverpool's failure to qualify for next season's Champions League could see a number of top stars depart Anfield, while it could hamper their chances of landing transfer targets.

However, Kuyt feels Liverpool are still an attractive proposition providing they make a swift return to the Premier League's top four next season.

"Liverpool is a massive club. It's very disappointing that we don't have the Champions League because, up until last season, we had done so well in the competition," said Kuyt.

"But this is what has happened. We have just got to make sure that we will be right back in it next year.

"Players who want to play in the Champions League would like Liverpool.

"We just have to make sure that we will back in it within one year."

Kuyt believes with a few quality additions and keeping Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard Liverpool can be back challenging for honours next term.

"If we can buy a few more players, I think we will be really close to winning trophies again," added Kuyt.

"There were times this season when we didn't play well and conceded last-minute goals but we were also really unlucky, when you think of the beach ball (which contributed to a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland) and the injuries we had.

"Fernando was a huge miss in particular. Last season, it was the opposite and we were the ones scoring the last-minute goals. Everything was going our way then.

"We just need a little bit more luck and a bit more quality in the team. Everyone knows that.

"In the meantime, everyone who is here needs to work really hard to improve."

Martin Skrtel Battling To Be Fit For Slovakia's World Cup 2010 'Dream'

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is keeping his fingers crossed that the hard work he has put into his rehabilitation from a broken metatarsal will mean that he is fit enough to play in Slovakia's World Cup campaign.

The Slovaks begin their tournament with a group game against New Zealand on June 15 and Skrtel has been putting in the hours at Liverpool's Melwood training ground in order to ensure that he makes the fixture.

"It is a proud moment for my country to have qualified and I hope to be there with them," Skrtel told the Reds' official website.

"It has been a very frustrating time for me being injured and not being available for Liverpool but all I can do is wait and see.

"I've had great support from the medical staff at Liverpool and my family, so I will do everything I can to be fit for the World Cup."

The fact that their team has managed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time means that the players will be even more motivated to do well, according to Skrtel.

"It's a big thing for Slovakia to have qualified for our first finals. It's a dream for everyone to get to South Africa," the centre-back added.

"We have achieved this dream as a country and now we have to show what we are all about and give our best."

Ever Banega Close To £8.5m Liverpool Switch With Four-Year Contract On The Table

Valencia midfielder Ever Banega is keen on securing a summer move to Liverpool, Goal.com has learned.

It appears that Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is set to raid his former club to fill the void left by the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid last summer, with Alberto Aquilani having not been an adequate replacement.

Now it is believed that Banega is fully in favour of a move to Anfield, despite the lack of UEFA Champions League football on Merseyside next season.

Sources close to the 21-year-old central midfielder have told Goal.com Spain that the Reds have put on the table a four-year contract, which has delighted the midfielder, paving the way for a move which would see him link up with fellow Argentinians Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua.

It is understood that Liverpool have made a bid of around £8.5 million [€10m], Banega's buyout clause, but is considerably less than the £15m [€18m] los Che paid Boca Juniors to take him from the Bombonera two years ago.

Since leaving his home country, Banega has endured an up-and-down time in Spain, struggling to settle at first and being the subject of a fairly embarrassing 'video scandal'.

He was loaned out to Atletico Madrid and monitored by Everton, but was eventually recalled by coach Unai Emery and realised his potential this season. Alongside David Villa and Silva, Banega was hailed as one of the key components in Valencia's team, who have secured third place in La Liga behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Valencia's financial problems are well publicised and despite talk of potential big-money departures from the Mestalla, such as David Villa, Silva and Juan Mata, the transfer income from such sales would not be sufficient to get anywhere near clearing their debt, which is now in excess of £511m [€600m]. As a result, every player is unofficially for sale this summer in what could be another make-or-break transfer window for the club.