Red hot for Roy: Why Hodgson became Liverpool's most wanted...

Roy Hodgson will be unveiled as the new Liverpool manager this afternoon. With Fabio Capello fighting to keep the England job after a disastrous World Cup, Hodgson had also been touted as a leading contender to replace the Italian. How has the 62-year-old from Croydon become the hottest asset in English football?
Fulham had just reached the Europa League semi-final courtesy of a 1-0 win in Wolfsburg - at that point arguably the biggest game in their 131-year history - and Roy Hodgson was asked how he felt to be flying the flag for English football. 'It'll help our UEFA co-efficient,' he replied, without a hint of irony.
It was pure Hodgson: straightlaced to the point of suffocation but making an intelligent, considered point. He does not deal in vacuous, off-the-cuff soundbites and devours Jewish-American fiction (Philip Roth, Isaac Bashevis Singer and Saul Bellow) in his spare time.
Hodgson is a manager who spends his days honing, organising and coaching on the training pitch. He was - briefly, from 1972-73 at Alleyn's School in south-west London - a PE teacher, after all.
'Of course it's nice for people to believe some managers are born with a magical quality that will transform bad into good, but I don't,' he says. 'It's about leadership skills, practice, repetition and bloody hard work.'
Repetition is the cornerstone of Hodgson's success. There were grumblings from within Fabio Capello's World Cup squad that the Italian didn't spend enough time on 'pattern of play' drills, but Hodgson's Fulham did this every day. Fellow coaches and managers, such as Steve Coppell and Glenn Roeder, often attended sessions to watch the 62-year-old in action.
'Every day in training is geared towards team shape on the match day coming up,' said midfielder Simon Davies. 'Every day is team shape and it shows.
'He gets the 11 that he wants on a match day and he drills everything in that he wants. There are no diagrams. It's all on the pitch with the ball, nothing unopposed.'
Hodgson has described his approach as 'player-orientated'. Words 'spill out left, right and centre' from a man who speaks five languages. His players know exactly what he expects and how they can be successful in their ascribed roles. They also know who's playing more than two hours before kick-off.
After failing to make the grade at Crystal Palace and playing non- League football, Hodgson gained his full coaching badge aged just 23. He followed the likes of Don Howe, Sir Bobby Robson and Terry Venables - tracksuited English coaches who relished their 'time on the grass', as Robson called it.
With Hodgson it was 11 versus 11 every day, the manager stopping play to make a tactical or technical point, or to tell a player they weren't in the right position at the right time. Hodgson was at the heart of everything, in his shorts with his socks pulled up to his knees.
Zoltan Gera said: 'We do the same thing in every session and sometimes it gets boring but we know it's working so I'm happy to do it. Put it this way, when I wake up in the middle of the night I know what I need to do in the game, I know everything about how we play.'
Fulham players could have slotted back into position in their sleep last season but, for all Hodgson's emphasis on repetition, he is not a man resistant to change. Quite the opposite, in fact. It is part of the reason the League Managers' Association's manager of the year has rarely been out of work during a 33-year coaching career.
At Fulham he introduced a basketball defensive system, called a 'zonal trap', where his team moved as a unit when protecting their goal. When he joined Inter Milan in 1995 he asked Italian World Cup winner Giuseppe Bergomi, who had always marked man-to-man, to mark zonally. The team switched from a libero system to a back four and Hodgson asked Bergomi to play at right back.
After taking over at Hamstad in 1976, his first management role, Hodgson and his great friend Bob Houghton revolutionised Swedish football. They abandoned man-to-man marking all over the field in favour of a zonal approach. It is no wonder Hodgson tends to bristle at the suggestion he is an old-fashioned manager.
Now he will find himself rebuilding a Liverpool side bereft of confidence and star quality, against a backdrop of high expectations. Hodgson will need to draw heavily on those decades of experience.

Liverpool: Hodgson Targets Hangeland

Roy Hodgson hasn't been appointed as the new Liverpool Boss yet however his appointment is believed to be a mere formality after a compensation pack was agreed with Fulham and his terms of a contract, for two years, were also agreed rumoured to have been agreed on Tuesday night.

Even though the club hasn't confirmed this appointed the rumours of whom he'll bring from Fulham with him to Anfield have started. Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland is believed to be his top target and having secured his continued services at Craven Cottage despite interest from Arsenal last season Hodgson will, if confirmed as our Boss, look to tempt him to Merseyside.

This all sounds good and well, if we even need a central defender as a priority which I don't think we do, but with Fulham looking for a rumoured £7m for the 29 year old how are we going to pay that?

Read more: http://www.liverpool.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=203215#ixzz0sKYYXDBY

Roy Hodgson given cautious welcome by Liverpool FC fan groups

LIVERPOOL FC fans groups today cautiously greeted the imminent appointment of Roy Hodgson as manager.

They questioned who had made the decision to appoint the Fulham boss as successor to Rafael Benitez.

Others said some in the Kop will mourn the loss of a chance to see Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish back at the helm.

But they also called for 62-year-old Hodgson, who will now have to deal with a huge spike in expectations, to be given enough space to grow in to one of European football’s top jobs.

James McKenna, spokes man for Spirit of Shankly fans group, told the ECHO: “It’s obvious we need a manager, but we have had a few weeks without decisions being made in the boardroom.

“A lot of fans are asking ‘who’s made this decision?’ Has George Gillett made the decision or was it Christian Purslow?

"Who with a footballing background has decided that Roy Hodgson is the right man for Liverpool Football Club?

“Christian Purslow was meant to find a buyer for the club – but what qualifies him to make decisions about who’s going to be the manager?

“And what support is he going to get from the boardroom? The past shows that there’s been massive tensions between the manager and the boardroom.

“There’s a real worry that it’s been done more to steady the ship, rather than push the club forward again.”

Les Lawson, 47, secretary of the official LFC supporters association also said: “I think there will be a mixed reaction from supporters with regards to his appointment.

"A lot of supporters would have liked to see Kenny given the opportunity again – someone who’s got Liverpool blood running through his veins and who’s managed us successfully before.

“I’m sure the fans will get behind him.

"He is our manager, he may not have been the fans’ choice but ultimately he’s in charge.

"He has got to be given the opportunity to do the job to the best of his ability.

“What he achieved at Fulham would have been unacceptable if he achieved it here – there’s more expectation.”

Roy Hodgson is the new Liverpool FC manager

ROY HODGSON will be officially named Liverpool FC’s new manager today (Wednesday).

The 62-year-old is due on Merseyside to complete the formalities of signing a contract after the Reds agreed a compensation package in the region of £2million with Fulham for his release.

Cordial negotiations have been ongoing in the past 72 hours between Liverpool’s Managing Director Christian Purslow and Fulham Chief Executive Alastair Mackintosh and they have now reached a successful conclusion.
Though Liverpool – who have remained tight-lipped throughout their search to replace Rafa Benitez – were linked with a clutch of names, Hodgson was always the number one candidate.

Other names in the frame included former Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini, Galatasary’s Frank Rijkaard and Didier Deschamps of Marseille, while Kenny Dalglish also made it clear he was desperate to take the job on.

Dalglish had initially been named as part of the recruitment process but he was desperate to have a second crack at the post he occupied between 1985 and 1991 when he felt his claims were as strong as the other candidates.

The board, though, were anxious to pursue Hodgson and Liverpool will be his 16th job in a managerial career that has spanned almost 35 years.

His first post was with Swedish side Halmstads in 1976 and he enjoyed instant success, leading them to two Swedish titles; he would later coach Malmo after a brief stint with Bristol City.
Success in charge of the Swiss national team led to him being appointed Inter Milan manager in 1995 and the highlight of his time at the San Siro was an appearance in the 1997 UEFA Cup final appearance, which they lost on penalties to Schalke 04.

Hodgson’s first crack at the Premier League came later that year, when he took over at Blackburn, but things did not go according to plan at Ewood Park – despite qualifying for Europe, he was sacked in December 1998.
Stints with Udinese, the United Arab Emirates, Viking Stavanger and Finland followed before Fulham turned to him in December 2007 and he successfully led their battle to avoid the drop, which they did thanks to a last day with at Portsmouth.

After that, his time at Craven Cottage went from strength to strength and he enhanced his reputation while transforming Fulham’s fortunes, guiding them to their highest Premier League finish and an appearance in the Europa League final.

Now he has a fresh challenge and Hodgson, the LMA’s current Manager of the Year, will meet those Liverpool players who have not been at the World Cup tomorrow when they return for pre-season training.

It had been mooted that Hodgson, who is expected to bring his trusted assistant Mike Kelly with him to Anfield, would be favourite to become England manager if the Football Association decided to sack Fabio Capello.

However, it is understood the delay in Hodgson being appointed to his new role had nothing to do with him waiting to see what happened with England.

One of Hodgson’s first jobs at Anfield will be to ratify Yossi Benayoun’s move to Chelsea after the clubs agreed a fee in the region of £6m for the Israeli midfielder.

New Liverpool FC manager will decide on who stays or goes

NOBODY will be leaving Liverpool until the club has appointed a new manager, according to Christian Purslow.

The Anfield managing director has responded to speculation linking Emiliano Insua with a move to Fiorentina.

The Serie A club are pursuing the youngster but Purslow insists decisions on any departures will be made by Rafael Benitez’s successor as and when he is installed.

“At this moment the only objective of the club is to find a new coach and then to evaluate the whole roster of players with him,” said Purlsow, who is leading the club’s search for a new manager.

“I cannot confirm the interest of Fiorentina for Insua, even if in Italy he is highly regarded, for example at Lazio who often came to see him in person last season.

“I don’t think the player wants to leave Liverpool.

“When and where he’ll do this request, regardless of the difficulties of the club, we’ll talk.”

Purslow knows that Liverpool have more chance of attracting their top managerial targets with the current playing staff in place.
That means moves for the likes of Chelsea target Yossi Benayoun and midfielder Javier Mascherano, who is being linked with Barcelona as well as Inter Milan, will not be sanctioned while the manager’s office remains vacant.

However, Liverpool could be faced with a battle to appoint Roy Hodgson should England fail to make the last 16 at the World Cup tomorrow.

Odds have been slashed for the Fulham manager to replace Fabio Capello, who is expected to be sacked or resign as England manager if his team slip up against Slovenia.

Hodgson heads Liverpool’s shortlist but the 62-year-old is said to have told friends he would accept the England role over any club job in the twilight of his career.

Royal Bank of Scotland turn up the heat on Liverpool FC owners

THE Royal Bank of Scotland are ready to turn up the heat on George Gillett and Tom Hicks to pursue a quick sale of Liverpool Football Club.

Liverpool supporters bombarded RBS Chief Executive Stephen Hester with an email campaign recently, aimed at getting the bank to reconsider the financing deal they have in place with the Reds’ co-owners.

A substantial part of Liverpool’s £237m debt is owed to the government-owned RBS and Hicks and Gillett were forced to re-negotiate an extension on the terms of the deal back in spring.

The RBS have made it clear they are prepared to be patient to maximise Liverpool’s hopes of obtaining a successful sale of the club but they do not want it dragging on unnecessarily – as they want to see the Reds flourishing.

An email to one Reds’ fan from Roger Lowry, the RBS’ head of public affairs, read: “We are confident that the Chairman and the Board will be mindful of the need to avoid any unnecessary delay in concluding a sale, as it is in no one’s interest to risk deterioration in the performance of the Club prior to it being sold.

“Our common goal is the long-term success of Liverpool Football Club and the Bank’s primary objective is to ensure financial stability, so that the Club can continue to perform both on and off the football pitch.

“There is little more I can add at this juncture, only to reiterate we are supportive of the steps that have been taken and we hope to have the opportunity to continue our financial support for the Club under its new ownership, once determined.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Agger – who is hoping to help Denmark make it through to the World Cup’s last 16 – has reiterated his commitment to Liverpool.

The classy central defender was brought to the club by Rafa Benitez and was once linked with a move to AC Milan before he signed a contract extension last year.

“I have no thoughts about leaving Liverpool,” he said.

“I have a four-year contract, I intend to stay and I want to stay, no matter who the manager is. I think my team-mates feel the same.”

Ex-Liverpool FC winger Mark Gonzalez sends Chile to verge of World Cup last 16

FORMER Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez came off the bench to head Chile to within touching distance of the last 16.

The 25-year-old, now at CSKA Moscow, struck with 15 minutes remaining as Switzerland, reduced to 10 men when Valon Behrami was sent off before the break, finally succumbed at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

His goal will send the South Americans into their final Group H clash with Spain knowing a point will be enough to take them through to the knockout stages.

Behrami, having tangled with Jean Beausejour, did so with Vidal and saw the midfielder go to ground clutching his face.

Referee Khalil Al Ghamdi had little hesitation in producing a red card and the Swiss were very much on the back foot.

In truth, they had been already for much of the first half with Chile’s midfield trio of Vidal, Carmona - who will miss the final group game against Spain after picking up a second booking - and Matias Fernandez repeatedly causing problems.

Switzerland offered little in response and skipper Alex Frei, who missed the opening game through injury, departed before the break having struggled to make an impact.

Grichting made a fine 69th-minute block to deny substitute Esteban Paredes, but it was he who did the damage with 15 minutes remaining when he rounded Benaglio and crossed for Gonzalez to power a downward header in off the underside of the bar.

Swiss substitute Eren Derdiyok passed up a glorious opportunity to level with seconds remaining when he fired wide.

Dirk Kuyt hopes England captain Steven Gerrard stays at Liverpool FC

DIRK KUYT was disappointed to see Rafael Benitez leave his post as Liverpool boss and hopes the Spaniard will not be followed out of Anfield by captain Steven Gerrard.

Benitez left Liverpool by mutual consent earlier this month to bring an end to a six-year tenure that was highlighted by his Champions League success in 2005.

Kuyt was signed by Benitez from Dutch side Feyenoord a year later and the 29-year-old forward admitted he would be forever thankful to the Spaniard for giving him his chance in English football.

“I was sad to see Rafa go. He was the manager who brought me over to Liverpool and I think he is a great manager,” he said.

“He was very important for Liverpool.

"He won the Champions League and did wonderful things for the club.

“I would just like to thank Rafa for bringing me to Liverpool and making me the player I am now.”
Following Benitez’s departure there have been fears that Gerrard could follow him out of the club, with new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho keen on luring a player he almost signed while he was at Chelsea.

That would be a major blow to Liverpool’s hopes next season in the eyes of Kuyt, after they could only manage a seventh-place finish last term.

“I wouldn’t like to see Stevie G go. Everyone wants to keep Stevie at the club,” he added.

“He is the captain of the team, he’s very important and his heart is bleeding Liverpool.

“But I don’t know what will happen. It’s just up to him and the club.

“I have spoken to Stevie while I’ve been here but we just talked about football – not his future.”

Riera changes mind again, wants to stay at Liverpool

Spanish winger Albert Riera says that he would like to stay at Liverpool, despite having recently said that he wants to leave and having complained that the club hasn’t fought to keep him.
The 28-year-old's latest change of mind is likely connected to the Anfield exit of Rafa Benitez.

Riera launched a scathing attack on the former Liverpool boss back in March, saying, "The team's playing badly and needs changes. It is a sinking ship. But in the two years I have been here Benitez has never managed a situation with a player by talking to him."

A proposed move to Russia then fell through and having been frozen out by Benitez for the final two months of the season, he said last month that his Anfield career is over, commenting, "The club has not put up any fight for me. I do not want to quarrel with somebody, but if a club doesn't fight for you, that means that they don't want you. I do not want to be in a place where I am not wanted."

Now in the lastest twist, the former Espanyol and Bordeaux player has stated that he wishes to stay at Liverpool.

Riera is quoted in the Daily Mirror today saying, "Honestly, if I can, I am going to stay at Liverpool because it is a top club. But, at the moment, the door is open for me. So, I really don't know."

Riera joined Liverpool from Espanyol for £8m two years ago, but he made only fifteen appearances last season, having been a first-team regular during his first season at the club.

Ex-Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez donates £96,000 to Hillsborough Family Support Group

Rafa Benitez today donated £96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group as he gets set to leave Merseyside.

The former Liverpool FC boss, who was today confirmed as the new manager at Inter Milan, handed over the cheque to Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the HFSG, as the rest of the committee watched on this afternoon.

In a low key visit to the group's office, Benitez wished the group well and told them he hoped they would get the justice and the truth they are campaigning for.

Mrs Aspinall said: "It was just nice to know that he wanted to see us before he went."

Jamie Redknapp: If Liverpool don't appoint King Kenny Dalglish, it'll be another crying shame

Kenny Dalglish is the right man at the right time for Liverpool. He has the quality that
money cannot buy: respect. They should be crying out for his leadership now to
replace Rafa Benitez, who had to go.
I spent some time with Dalglish last week for the UNICEF game at Old Trafford and saw every day the passion and desire — and the knowledge — Kenny still has for football.
If the argument against his appointment is that he has been out of the game too long, you wouldn’t know it speaking to him — line-ups, formations, players. He’s been observing and building his knowledge. He’s ready to return to football.
I still see Liverpool as my club. I was captain and spent more than a decade playing for the club, after Kenny signed me at the age of 17 from Bournemouth.
I remember my first day up there, wondering how I would cope away from my mum and dad. He invited me to stay at his house, where his lovely wife, Marina, cooked chicken and pasta and we spoke about football. Then he told me I had to go to bed.
It was quite early and I was a bit surprised, but you don’t argue with the great Kenny Dalglish. So off I went.
I did as I was told, only to find out the next morning over breakfast that I was in the squad to face Wimbledon. I didn’t know until then, he didn’t tell me, but it was his way
of keeping me calm.
The day he left the club — about a month later — despite the thousands of people he needed to speak to and explain why, he called me and told me that I shouldn’t worry and that Liverpool was my club. I cried my eyes out.
Even last week, Kenny still had that aura about him. He is Liverpool’s Special One.
Benitez won the Champions League and the FA Cup, but it was time for him to go. I speak to some of the Liverpool players, but you don’t have to do that to see how unhappy they were last season. The manager had lost the dressing room. They almost downed tools.
The players were fed up and beaten. You can’t have Liverpool players like that! It reflected in their performances and their final league position. Whoever takes the job has a huge task rebuilding morale and standards.
He will inherit some good players — but not enough. He will have to take on the responsibility of keeping Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. I just think Kenny, with all his Liverpool history, will have a better chance of achieving that, as well as attracting fresh blood.

I’m not pushing him as a candidate for sentimental reasons. He will need good coaches around him and he will need a budget to improve the playing staff, but there will be no compensation package.
That gives him another advantage over Roy Hodgson and Martin O’Neill, who will both be expensive as they are under contract with rival Barclays Premier League clubs.
Liverpool supporters also hold him close to their heart forever. When he departed Anfield in 1991, he moved on to Blackburn and won the title there, finishing ahead of Manchester United on the last day of the 1994-95 season.
I was in the Liverpool team at Anfield that day — I scored the winning goal in the game against Blackburn which might have taken the title away from Kenny — but you could still feel the emotion from the Kop, once the title was confirmed by West Ham’s 1-1 draw with United.
The modern Liverpool don’t need just a figurehead, but a leader. Kenny can be that man.

Christian Purslow, the new managing director, has been bold with his decision to sack Benitez and now he faces a challenging period searching for the right man. The
right man, in my opinion, is under his nose.
I’ll finish with a story that sums up Kenny. A couple of years ago, he took on the role of manager for the Rest of the World team against England, managed by my dad, Harry Redknapp.
It’s a game where a lot of people give up their time for free, but there is still a lot of competition between the coaches. We won, Kenny’s team lost, but he called it on with my dad, claiming he made a substitution that had broken the rules.
Dad sent on a player who had already been on, but it was a charity game! Kenny wasn’t having it and they had strong words.
This year, when Kenny’s team won, he was delighted with the victory. ‘I see you’re not crying now,’ I said to him at the end. It’s the behaviour of a winner. Kenny Dalglish is a winner. Liverpool need a bit of that right now.

Rafa Benitez returns to Liverpool with £33m offer for Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano

The Italians have finalised an agreement for Rafa Benitez to be their next manager and will present him at the San Siro as soon as the Spaniard cuts short his holiday.
And the 50-year-old, who knows all about the financial constraints at Anfield, is ready to raid his former club for trusted allies.
While there is an interest in Fernando Torres, Inter acknowlege that competing with Chelsea would make it difficult to sign the Spain striker.
Mascherano and Kuyt, however, are more achievable signings and are thought to be open to teaming up with their former boss.
Kuyt was quick to praise the man who took him from Feyenoord to Anfield earlier this week, saying: 'I don’t know for sure who is going to be in charge at Inter, but Benitez is a fantastic coach and would be a great choice for them.
'Working with him is perfect and I am grateful for all he did for me. I was delighted when he asked me to join him at Liverpool, and while we were together, he gave me a lot of good suggestions about how I could improve my game.
'He was good for my career. I have read a lot about what might happen now, if he goes to Inter, but I am just concentrating on the World Cup.
'That is important, because I want to have a good tournament. I have a contract with Liverpool, and I have to respect that, because they are a big club and have been good to me.'
Mascherano pondered a move to Barcelona last summer but has since insisted he is happy at Liverpool.
However, the commitment has not been reciprocated by an acceptable new contract offer and talks with the Reds have been shelved until after the World Cup.
Barcelona are also interested in the Argentina captain but are also looking at cheaper alternatives for the holding role vacancy about to be created by Yaya Toure leaving for either Arsenal or Manchester City.
Tottenham's Wilson Palacios is among those who Barca are considering as an alternative to targeting Mascherano.
Meanwhile, Inter have put aside £25m to move for Valencia and Spain midfielder David Silva, who is also a target for Manchester City and Real Madrid, but is said to be keen to join up again with the manager who brought him through at the Mestalla.
Meanwhile, Benitez's three-year contract at the San Siro is reported to be worth £65,000 a week - less than half of what Inter paid Jose Mourinho.
The European champions were turned down by England boss Fabio Capello, Barcelona's Pep Guardiola and Turkey's former Chelsea chief Guus Hiddink before turning to the man who led Liverpool to seventh in the Barclays Premier League last season.

Paul Dalglish backs father Kenny to land Liverpool FC manager's job

KENNY DALGLISH is desperate to be named as Liverpool's new manager, according to his son Paul.

The former Liverpool Reserves striker has revealed his father's burning ambition to succeed Rafa Benitez in the Anfield hot seat.

And Paul believes the Reds legend, who managed the club between 1985 and 1991, is the ideal man to transform the club's fortunes and provide unity after a dismal campaign.

“I just think that hopefully he does get it because I know how much he wants it,” Paul said.

“To be honest with you it would be an unbelievable story for my dad to be going back.

“Some people say, well what happens if it doesn’t work? He’s been out of the game for 10 years.

“My question is, what if it does work? What person loves Liverpool more than my dad?

“Who would Liverpool fans love to see have success more than my dad? Nothing could make my family more proud. I’d love to see it happen.”
Paul, who lives in America and is head coach of Tampa Bay Rowdies, believes Dalglish and Reds assistant boss Sammy Lee would be the perfect double act.

“Sammy Lee is a great coach and very passionate about Liverpool,” he added.

“He’s the best man for that job. I don’t think they’d sleep at night until they were successful.”

When Benitez left last week, Liverpool announced that Dalglish, who returned to the club as an ambassador last year, would be assisting managing director Christian Purslow in the search for the Spaniard's successor in the Reds hot seat.

Dalglish has been out of management for over a decade since he parted company with Celtic.

However, the 59-year-old, who achieved legendary status at Anfield during a 14-year stay between 1977 and 1991 as first player then manager, would be a popular selection among the majority of the club’s supporters.

And the highly-respected figure could be crucial in helping to convince key players like Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard to stay at the club after the World Cup this summer.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is currently the bookies' favourite for the job but Paul insists Kenny would be a much better bet.

“I think my dad is the best person to do the job, I know he wants the job,” Paul said.

“If you look at my dad’s record, he’s had one bad year as a manager, and that was his second year at Newcastle. And he would admit he made some mistakes.

“Even in that terrible year, Newcastle still made it to the FA Cup final. He’s a born winner. He’s an inspiration to everyone connected to Liverpool Football Club. No one can inspire the whole club in these difficult times like my father.

“As for Roy Hodgson, he’s a very good man and he did a very good job taking Fulham to the UEFA Cup final.

“I’m sure given the opportunity, he would do a tremendous job. But I’m biased. I want my dad.”

Odds shorten on Kenny

Odds on Kenny Dalglish becoming the next Liverpool manager are shortening following news that the 59-year-old Scot has withdrawn from the selection panel.
The odds on Dalglish taking over are now down to 6/4 with some bookies as favourite Roy Hodgson slips in the market.

Keep an eye on the prices today as more and more people decide to back the former Anfield legend to take the reigns once more.

Fernando Torres is fit and raring to go in World Cup after injury-hit Liverpool FC season

FERNANDO TORRES has declared himself fighting fit for the start of the World Cup after scoring on his comeback for Spain.

The Liverpool striker made his first appearance since undergoing knee surgery in April as a 66th minute substitute for David Villa in their 6-0 friendly victory over Poland on Tuesday night.

Torres netted Spain’s fifth goal just 10 minutes later after coming on when he fired Pedro Rodriguez’s cross past Tomasz Kuszczak.

“I am very happy because now it is nearly two months after the surgery and I haven’t noticed any problems,” he said.

“It was a very important day to me because to play in the World Cup is most important.

“The minutes I played were useful to gain rhythm and to confirm that my knee is good. It was perfect and to get a goal as well, I’m very happy.

“I’d like to thank my colleagues for the support they have given me during this time.

“The injury has passed and now I’m able to help my team-mates, so it’s time to enjoy it.”

Torres was the only member of Vicente del Bosque’s 23-man squad who had yet to feature after warm-up wins over Saudi Arabia and South Korea in Austria.
Favourites Spain open their World Cup campaign against Switzerland in Durban on Wednesday, June 16. Torres added: “We have recuperated and our timing is there on the field. But the World Cup is very long and it will not be easy.”

Meanwhile, Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has a “minor muscle injury”, the team doctor has revealed.

Iniesta brilliantly set up two goals in the opening 15 minutes and was the star performer as Spain dominated the first half of their World Cup warm-up match against Poland in Murcia.

Spain eventually won 6-0, but Iniesta was forced off after 39 minutes after feeling discomfort in his thigh.

The Barca midfielder missed much of last season with a thigh injury and coach Vicente del Bosque was unwilling to take any risks.

“The substitution was a precaution,” Del Bosque said after the match. “The doctors will examine him.”

However, Dr Oscar Celada revealed that Iniesta does have a slight injury.

“We substituted him because he had some discomfort in the back part of the thigh,” said the team doctor. He didn’t notice any tear and it has not got any worse.”

Fernando Torres will get better protection in South Africa than he does for Liverpool FC - Graham Poll

FORMER World Cup referee Graham Poll believes Fernando Torres can expect better treatment from referees this summer than he gets in the Premier League each week.

The Reds star recently spoke of his concerns regarding the intense physicality of English football, but Poll, who refereed in the 2002 and 2006 tournament, believes the Spaniard should fare better on the international stage, where protecting star players is a priority for match officials.

“I think there are two perspectives to look at,” said Poll.

“At international level, and especially at World Cups, referees are instructed to protect the skilful players, such as Torres.

“In the Premier League, on the other hand, the emphasis is on fast football and tempo and physicality, so there can’t be too much interference in that respect.

"And let’s be honest, if a player like Fernando is to leave the Premier League, one of the reasons will be the way he is handled by referees.

“I certainly think Fernando can expect better protection at the World Cup than he gets domestically.”

Poll also tipped Howard Webb, England’s refereeing representative this summer, to handle the pressure of officiating on football’s biggest stage.

“You cannot understand the enormity of a World Cup until you’ve been,” he says. “I’d done big games – European Championships, Champions League, FA Cup – but the World Cup is something else, it really is. Howard has all that coming to him.

“But he is a calm guy, his training as a policeman ensures that. You could see in this season’s Champions League final that he knows how to keep his emotions in check. I’m sure he will cope fine with the pressure and he will not be overawed.”
Poll is at a loss to explain his 2006 aberration, in which he issued three yellow cards to the same player – Josip Simunic – during a match between Australia and Croatia, though admits that the pressure placed on referees by abusive players is something which needs to be stamped out of the game.

“From my own perspective, I still cannot explain my mistake,” he said, “That game (Croatia v Australia) had everything – diving, bad tackles, disrespect, abuse – and those are the hardest type of games to referee.

“The ‘Respect’ campaign has had various levels of success, but in my opinion it will not work until referees start to consistently send players off for disrespectful, abusive language. We all know who the worst offenders are, but still they go unpunished.”

The 46-year-old, who retired from refereeing in 2007, also revealed his worst ever Merseyside derby moment, as well as his respect for Liverpool stars Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

“I’ve made a few mistakes of course,” he said. “But the one that sticks in the mind as far as Liverpool and Everton goes is when I didn’t allow Don Hutchison’s goal (at Goodison Park in the April 2000 derby) to stand. The blue half has probably never forgiven me!

“But I have to say I’m such a huge fan of Stevie; he gave me a shirt when he found out I was retiring, and signed it with a great message, which was a fantastic gesture.

"He also texted me after my error in 2006, as did Jamie Carragher, with a message of support. I really appreciated that.”

Graham was speaking to promote the Coral Dugout website, which enables punters to get the most out of every World Cup game from a betting perspective.

Holland are united for World Cup says Liverpool FC striker Dirk Kuyt

DIRK KUYT insists Holland are united ahead of the World Cup finals.

The Dutch are always tipped to impress at major tournaments but often their hopes are dashed by personality clashes and infighting in the squad.

“The unity is very good at the moment,” the Liverpool frontman said.

“We won every game in the group stage of qualifying.

“It’s funny that everyone in Holland and in other countries too asks about unity in the squad.

“The good thing about that is that this group of players is very aware that we have to do things together.

“We have to set everything aside to make sure we’ve got the best chance at the World Cup.”

Liverpool FC ace Fernando Torres favourite to win Golden Boot at World Cup 2010 in South Africa

PREMIER LEAGUE bosses reckon Fernando Torres is the most likely player to bring the Golden Boot back to England.

The Liverpool striker came in ahead of Wayne Rooney in the survey that league sponsors Barclays conducted with top flight managers ahead of the World Cup, which starts tomorrow.

Torres missed the last seven games of Liverpool’s season with a knee injury and only made his comeback on Tuesday night in Spain’s final warm-up friendly before jetting off to South Africa

But Torres made an immediate return to scoring form after coming on as a second half substitute against Poland, scoring the fifthin a 6-0 rout.

He secured 47% of the vote, ahead of Rooney (41%) and Manchester City and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez (12%).

The Premier League bosses have hailed Rooney as pivotal to England's hopes of lifting the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1966 but they believe Argentina talisman Lionel Messi will be the star of the tournament whilst most are tipping Brazil to claim their sixth world crown.

But 59%believe Rooney will also be among the top three stand-out players, with 82& of the managers citing Messi as the player set to make the biggest impact in South Africa.

Brazil are backed by 53% of the managers to claim an unprecedented sixth World Cup ahead of European Champions Spain (24%).

Liverpool FC To Be Taken Over by Sheikh Khalifa?

Could we see a possible takeover in the summer of struggling English powerhouse Liverpool FC? Well, according to latest reports surfacing, an Abu Dhabi billionaire might be on the cards for a comlplete takeover.

Nothing has been agreed upon or finalized, no press release or media report, so don’t celebrate just yet.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates and Emir (Ruler/ Leader) of Abu Dhabi. His one of the wealthiest Arab businessmen in the World. He is wealthier than his half-brother, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who is the owner of Manchester City FC.

Sheikh Khalifa as his known is said to be the third wealthiest royal with his net-worth around $19 billion, he also has major interest in Abu Dhabi and UAE developments.

If he successfully takes over Liverpool, he will look to make major investments in the club and according to stats, with his wealth Liverpool could have more financial power than both Manchester City and Roman Abromovich’s Chelsea.

With so much money been spent around in recent years on club takeovers and player transfers, this could be exactly what Liverpool need. And in terms of the club, it could be perfect as they hope and wish to keep their most prized assets, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, at Anfield.

Recently we also heard of a bid by a wealthy middle-eastern businessman said to also be from Abu Dhabi who prepared a multi-billion dollar bid for Manchester United but was unsuccessful as the Glazers turned it down.

IS ST JOHN’S ATTACK ON BENITEZ AND OUR LOSS OF IDENTITY JUSTIFIED?

Ian St John has come out and criticised the ten years of foreign management that he believes has transformed the club beyond recognition. The Liverpool legend believes that for such dramatic changes to the backroom staff, there should have been a great deal more success than just the Champions League triumph of 2005. St John told BBC Radio Merseyside that it maybe was time to return to the club’s British roots:
“Personally I hope we get a British manager. We’ve had over 10 years of foreign managers. Take away the night in Istanbul and the whole club seems to have changed. The staff we’ve got now, one minute it was all Frenchmen, the next minute all Spaniards. I mean this is Liverpool Football Club. I thought earlier in the season when Rafa changed the academy staff, I thought that was shocking. The academy boys had been there for years turning out players like Gerrard and Carragher and winning the (FA Youth) cup a couple of times. And for them to lose their jobs, and for what? I thought that was shocking, and then to get an influx of Spaniards coming in, I thought it was a big mistake and it was something that was happening at the club that shouldn’t have happened.”
So does St John have at point about our identity? Has the spirit of the bootroom and passion to play for Liverpool gone away under foreign management in recent years? It’s difficult to say in some respects because the English game has been globalised to such an extent in recent times that this was inevitably going to happpen. Even Rafa recognised as much with his youth policy which St John much criticised. The aim that Benitez and the Spanish coaches Rodolfo Borrell and Pep Segura had was to develop players with a “passion” for the football club. Rather than relying on poaching youngsters from abroad, the aim was to develop a youth academy similar to Barcelona’s where Borrell and Segura originated, developing a crop of local youngsters who want to play for the club for the rest of their careers.
How the Barca academy works is typified by the contrasting attitudes of Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas. Both developed their skills at Barca’s La Masia academy, Messi came from a young age from Argentina to play for Barca while Fabregas left the club after being poached by Arsenal. While Messi wants to stay at the club for the rest of his career rather than returning to Argentina, Fabregas clearly has the desire to return to Spain. Why is Cesc not as loyal as Messi? Because Barca trained them both in the ways of Barca, and while one wants to stay, the other wants to return there. The same sort of thing was hopefully going to take place at Liverpool, and this is why I disagree with St John on the changing of the academy staff. For the best part of ten years, the Academy had only produced one player of any note, Stephen Warnock, and it was time for a change.
Part of this new approach was to bring in young English players to kick start this process of club indoctrination. Both Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling reportedly rejected bigger offers from other clubs to join the Reds, and these sort of players are seen as the way forward for the club. How much this was motivated by the Premier League quota system being established or by a genuine belief that that the team would be improved by more local talent is open to interpretation, but I believe the continual involvement of both Borrell and Segura is crucial for this process to continue. One of the best things a new manager could do is to convince them both to stay and continue with their long term project. Otherwise we may go back to square one and revert to poaching foreign youngsters. Then the club would truly be losing its identity.
Certainly the loss of the traditional Liverpool bootroom will lead to a certain extent a change of identity for the football club but such a thing is inevitable in any club these days as coaches and players come from all around the world to play in the world’s richest league. As long as the coaches and players understand the Liverpool Way and have that “passion,” then we shouldn’t ask for anything else, and any players who do not share this passion and loyalty to the club should, as Jamie Carragher put it, just leave. When going through a difficult spell in the club’s history, it is time for the team and staff to come together, the only way this can happen is through commitment to the club rather than wanting out.

Sheikh Khalifa trying to take control of Liverpool

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is in negotiations with Liverpool Football Club regarding a complete takeover and that Martin Broughton and Christian Purslow are hoping to push this deal through within the next 5 weeks.

Sheikh Khalifa is wealthier than his brother Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who owns Manchester City which also means he's richer than Chelsea's Roman Abromovich. Basically if he took control of Liverpool, we'd have more financial clout than both clubs.

Kenny Dalglish throws hat into the ring to become Liverpool FC manager again, but Fulham’s Roy Hodgson remains leading candidate

KENNY DALGLISH has sensationally thrown his hat into the ring to become the new Liverpool manager.

It was thought that Dalglish was assisting managing director Christian Purslow to find a successor to Rafael Benitez, who left the club on Thursday after six years in charge. But it has emerged that the Anfield legend had no such role and has now told the club’s hierarchy of his desire to become manager again.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson remains a strong candidate with Liverpool having been impressed by his efforts at Craven Cottage over the last 18 months.

But if Liverpool choose to follow the boot-room tradition and keep the position in house, then Dalglish would become a leading option.

Dalglish has been working in a ambassadorial role at Liverpool since returning to the club last year and has forged close ties with managing director Purslow.

The 59-year-old achieved legendary status at Anfield during a 14-year stay between 1977 and 1991 as first player then manager.

Cash-strapped Liverpool would not have an issue with compensation should they appoint Dalglish and would instead give the Scot a pay rise.

But counting against Dalglish is the fact he has not managed for more than a decade, a time during which the football landscape has changed dramatically.

Liverpool may believe the Dalglish factor could prove pivotal in helping persuade Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard to remain at the club with the pair considering their futures after a disappointing season at Anfield.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez yesterday dropped a further hint that Gerrard is a possible target for the Bernabeu.

“I think we already have stars in our squad, what we are certainly going to do is sign two or three great players to complete the team,” said Perez.

When asked about Gerrard and Inter full-back Maicon, another rumoured target, Perez added: “We still have not discussed new signings but both are among the best players in their positions.”
Hodgson, meanwhile, has healthy support in the Anfield boardroom and would be the preferred choice should Dalglish’s offer be declined.

The Fulham manager is viewed by some as ideal for the role with Liverpool looking for someone to help stabilise the club after the tumultuous conclusion to Benitez’s reign.

Any compensation, which could be around the £2million mark, would not be a problem with Liverpool poised to receive settlements of their own when Benitez makes his anticipated raid on the Anfield backroom staff.

The much-travelled 62-year-old has vast experience having also been in charge at Inter twice, Blackburn Rovers, Udinese and the national teams of Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Finland.

Hodgson’s stock in England has risen considerably during the past 18 months when, having secured European qualification for Fulham last season, he guided the Cottagers to the Europa League final last month where they lost to Liverpool’s conquerors Atletico Madrid. That Hodgson’s wife Sheila is from Liverpool will only add to the appeal, with the Anfield board preferring to employ a British manager after the spells of Benitez and predecessor Gerard Houllier.

Hodgson’s claims were backed earlier this week by Houllier, while Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer admitted he would not blame the Craven Cottage manager for taking up the challenge at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel admits he was sad to see Benitez depart but is determined to regain a regular starting role at Anfield. He said: “Rafa was the one who had confidence in me and he was also the one who took me to Liverpool so I can only thank him and wish him all the best no matter where he goes. I will train hard to show my new coach my qualities. I want to be a stable member of Liverpool next term.”

Roy Hodgson must decide if he wants Liverpool FC job – Fulham's Clint Dempsey

ONLY Roy Hodgson can decide if he will become the next Liverpool manager.

That is the opinion of Fulham striker Clint Dempsey who is the latest Cottagers player to respond to mounting speculation linking Hodgson with a move to Anfield.

The Fulham boss is the firm favourite to succeed Rafa Benitez, who is set to be unveiled as the new Inter boss today after parting company with Liverpool by mutual consent last Thursday.

Earlier this week, Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer declared he “wouldn't blame” Hodgson if he took up the opportunity to join Liverpool.

Now Dempsey has joined Schwarzer by speaking out about the veteran coaches future.

Dempsey is in South Africa with the USA World Cup squad preparing for their opening Group C game against England in Rustenburg on Saturday.

Schwarzer said he would be disappointed to see Hodgson leave Craven Cottage this summer and Dempsey insists any decision lies with the 63-year-old should Liverpool make their move.

“If the coach wants to be there he will be there,” said Dempsey. “He has to do the best for him and his family.

“It is not something I can worry about. I am with Fulham for three more years and I will do my best for the club until something happens.

“If he wants to stay, let him stay. If he wants to go, let him go.”
But with the likes of Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp and Italy boss Marcello Lippi ruling themselves out of the running to replace Benitez, Hodgson – whose wife hails from Liverpool – heads an ever decreasing list of viable candidates.

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill remains in the frame while former England and Manchester City chief, Sven Goran Eriksson, has revealed his lifelong support for Liverpool admitting he would dearly love to take the reins at Anfield.

There is also growing support among fans for Reds legend Kenny Dalglish to get the job on a permanent basis.

However, club ambassador Dalglish has been handed the task of helping managing director Christian Purslow locate the next incumbent of the Anfield hotseat and his advisory role could prove a stumbling block.

Meanwhile, reports in Italy claim Fiorentina are keen on taking Emiliano Insua to Serie A.

The Argentinian left-back endured a difficult season with Liverpool but that has not deterred La Viola.

However, Fabio Aurelio’s departure could prevent Insua moving on.

The Brazilian was told he can leave Anfield this summer after four injury-plagued years on Merseyside. That means 21-year-old Insua will be the only recognised senior left-back at the club.

FERNANDO TORRES made a scoring return for Spain last night as he came off the bench to net in the European champions 6-0 rout of Poland in their final World Cup warm-up in Murcia before heading for South Africa.

Harry Redknapp: I’ve got no intention of leaving Tottenham for Liverpool FC

HARRY REDKNAPP has distanced himself from speculation linking him with the vacant Liverpool job and backed Kenny Dalglish to take over at Anfield.

Former Reds striker Robbie Fowler is among those who have hailed the Tottenham manager as the perfect replacement for Rafa Benitez at Anfield.

Redknapp has transformed Spurs from relegation candidates to Champions League qualifiers in the space of 18 months.

However, the 63-year-old insists he has no intention of leaving White Hart Lane for Merseyside and wants to sign a new contract to extend his stay in the capital.

“I am not being presumptuous turning down Liverpool, because I haven’t been offered the job and haven’t spoken to anyone about it,” he said.

“There is no need, as I have one year left on my contract at Tottenham and I am not thinking about anything other than being at White Hart Lane next season.

“I can tell you that I have not been offered a new contract, but that doesn’t mean I am looking to move on – far from it.

“I am loyal to Spurs, I want to stay at Spurs and I have a contract with Spurs, and I’d be happy to sign a new contract at Spurs if I was offered one, but in any case I have one year on my contract.”

Redknapp believes Dalglish, who is leading the search for Benitez’s successor, is the ideal candidate to take over as manager.
He added: “Why not give it to Kenny Dalglish? I am sure he would want it, and why not?

“He is Liverpool through and through. He would be a good man for the job.

“He has experience, he knows exactly what is needed at Liverpool and the players would love it, especially someone like Steven Gerrard who would, I am sure, respond to the appointment of Dalglish as manager there.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Ian St John has called on the board to appoint a British manager. He wants the Reds to look closer to home after six-year spells for Gerard Houllier and Benitez.

St John said: “Personally I hope we get a British manager. We’ve had over 10 years of foreign managers. Take away the night in Istanbul and the whole club seems to have changed.”

St John has backed the club’s decision to end Benitez’s reign.

“Rafa can’t really complain – he had six years and spent a lot of money,” St John adds. “At the end of the six years he didn’t have a squad strong enough to win the Premier League or to finish in the top four.

“The way the team had been playing in the last couple of seasons I just felt we had hit the buffers. The football that we always went to Anfield to watch was mundane.”

Former Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez set to be unveiled as new manager of Inter Milan

INTER president Massimo Moratti has confirmed Rafael Benitez has agreed a deal to become the club’s new coach.

Moratti revealed negotiations with Benitez had not taken place in person and said the Spaniard was due to arrive in Milan this week ahead of finalising his move to the European champions.

The Inter president revealed an announcement would be made today to confirm when Benitez would be unveiled as Jose Mourinho’s successor at the San Siro.

“We have agreed the final details, which were not important things,” Moratti said last night.

“All that is needed now is a counter-signature.

“Tomorrow we will tell you when he will be presented.”

Benitez has been in talks with the European champions since his six-year spell as Liverpool manager was ended by mutual consent last week.
Moratti revealed yesterday that a deal with the 50-year-old had been “more or less done” and had been confident the details would be finalised today.

Reports in Italy had suggested Benitez would sign a three-year deal worth five million euros per season, but Moratti dismissed those claims as “off track” in terms of “duration and the amount”.

Benitez may wish to take his Anfield assistant Mauricio Pellegrino, goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero and fitness coach Paco de Miguel with him to the San Siro, with Italian Amedeo Carboni – who played under Benitez as a midfielder at Valencia – also touted as a possible backroom addition.

Benitez still had four years to run on his Liverpool contract but left after the Reds could only manage seventh place in the Premier League last season.

He had previously been linked with Real Madrid, but they filled their managerial vacancy by wooing Mourinho from Inter.

Reds fans group aim to launch fan-ownership scheme for Liverpool FC

The board of Liverpool fans’ group ShareLiverpool FC has announced plans to launch a share issue which would enable supporters to purchase a stake in the club, further turning up the heat on unpopular Reds owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

The move comes hot on the heels of news that the ‘Spirit of Shankly’ supporters’ union intends to launch a fan-ownership scheme of their own this summer, after talks of a merger between the two groups proved fruitless.

ShareLiverpool founder Rogan Taylor revealed that the group now possess the funds to underwrite the costs of organising and delivering a full share issue.

This would enable Liverpool supporters to collectively seek to purchase equity in the club, and would comply fully with the stringent rules outlined by the UK Financial Services Authority.

Taylor said:“ShareLiverpoolFC board will now look to specify a date for a share issue later this summer. This is a serious and rigorously professional undertaking and we believe our core aspiration is both desirable and deliverable.

"This is our time. It presents the best – and perhaps the only chance - of fans gaining control or at the very least a significant equity stake in the Club they love and support.”

The news represents a major step forward for ShareLiverpool, whose ultimate aim is to make Liverpool the first major UK club to be owned by its supporters.
Board member Barrie Baxter said: “This is our opportunity as fans to make sure what has happened to Liverpool FC during these last few years will never be allowed to happen again. It will need a huge number of LFC fans to participate in this incredible journey.”

Devised in 2008, the group aims to secure a minimum investment of £500 from thousands of Reds supporters, in order to buy a share in the company which will seek to own equity in Liverpool FC. At present, more than 35,000 fans have registered for the scheme, though with Gillett and Hicks said to value the club at as much as £600million, there is clearly a long way to go, as Taylor concedes.

Former Reds striker, and ShareLiverpool board member, John Aldridge though, is buoyed by the announcement: “I’m made up that ShareLiverpoolFC is now able to push on and make the share offer. We’ll need a tremendous response from the fans but I think millions of them are desperately worried about the current situation both on and off the field.

“At last, they’ve got a chance to actually to do something about it. Our fans have brought us ‘back from the dead’ in matches many times before: think only of the ‘miracle’ of Istanbul. They can do it again – this time at the heart of the Club itself.”

Meanwhile Aldridge’s former team-mate John Barnes, himself a long-time supporter of the scheme, also welcomed the news. “It’s excellent to hear that the fans will get the opportunity to pool their money and buy a stake in the Club,” he said, “No one who has ever played for Liverpool can be in any doubt that these fans are the football club: the unique, core ‘brand’, as they call it these days, of LFC.

“If they are the club, why shouldn’t they own it too?”

Kirdi reps upbeat over Liverpool takeover talks

Liverpool could come under Syrian control in the coming weeks.

The Mirror says potential buyer Yahya Kirdi flew to London last week for crunch talks with the Anfield club's new chairman Martin Broughton and co-owner George Gillett.

Kirdi, an International Unicef representative, is working around the clock to pave the way for the £400m buy-out of the crisis-hit Reds after a last-minute hitch recently left the mega-bucks takeover hanging in the balance.

But Kirdi has come back with renewed determination in his bid to do the deal so flew from his business base in Dubai for lengthy discussions at a secret location in the capital in the past few days.

The bold regime aims to sweep aside troubled Liverpool co-owners Gillett and Tom Hicks to wipe out their current debts in excess of £350m.

Plans are already underway for a new stadium, as well as investing heavily in new players to make the Reds a force to be reckoned with again.

Former Celtic captain Andy Lynch is working alongside Kirdi as they strive to strike a deal.

And Lynch confirmed the latest round of talks were positive.

Lynch said: "Mr Kirdi confirmed to me that he had encouraging discussions with both Martin Broughton and George Gillett.

"He is hopeful that the deal could be done very soon."

Liverpool FC’s Dirk Kuyt eager to shrug off under-achievers tag at World Cup with Netherlands

DIRK KUYT believes Holland are finally ready to shake off their tag as under-achievers and challenge for World Cup glory in South Africa.

The Liverpool frontman was on target last night as Bert van Marwijk’s men hammered Ghana 4-1 in their penultimate warm-up match in Rotterdam.

The Dutch bowed out to Portugal in the last 16 in Germany four years ago and were then defeated by Russia in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

However, Kuyt insists they are now a different proposition and after a perfect record in qualifying confidence is high ahead of their opening game against Daniel Agger’s Denmark on June 14.

"In the last few tournaments Holland have always played very well only be beaten by one off day such as against Russia," Kuyt said.

"The main feeling now is that we want to push a little bit harder to be ready for the moment when we are not at our best level but can still go to the next round. I think we have lots of quality in the team. Many players have been playing for a long period with each other in the Dutch team now so it’s time to use that experience and do something more than we’ve shown in the last couple of tournaments. We’re going to try to push as hard as possible.

"We won every game in qualification which is very positive and we’re unbeaten since Van Marwijk came into the job."

Kuyt believes Van Marwijk, who took over from Marco van Basten after Euro 2008, has managed to get the best out of a squad which boasts the likes of Mark van Bommel, Wesley Sneijder, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.

The Reds star admits he owes a huge debt of gratitude to his former Feyenoord boss, who signed him from FC Utrecht in 2003.
"Van Marwijk has been important in my career because he gave me the chance to go to a top club in Holland," Kuyt added.

"That was something that meant a lot for me because as a Dutch player you always want to play for one of the best teams in the highest league.

"He gave me that opportunity so he is definitely a special manager for me. He has signed a new contract until the end of the European Championships in 2012 and he’s doing very well at the moment."

Holland complete their preparations with a final friendly against Hungary in Amsterdam on Saturday.

Liverpool defender Agger played 90 minutes for Denmark in their 1-0 defeat to Australia yesterday.

Reds trio Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson fly off to South Africa today after being confirmed in England’s 23-man squad.

Meanwhile, Liverpool goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero has hailed Pepe Reina as one of the top five keepers in the world.

Reina, who recently signed a new six-year contract, is only second choice for Spain but fellow countryman Valero has no doubts about his quality.

"All of the top sides in Europe have a top goalkeeper who they can build a side around," he said.

"At the moment there are only four or five world class keepers in the game and we have one of them in Pepe. His new contract gives us stability for the immediate and long-term future."

No bids received yet as Yossi Benayoun eyes move away from Liverpool FC

LIVERPOOL insist they have received no approach for Yossi Benayoun – but the midfielder looks set to leave Anfield this summer.

Reports claiming the Reds have rejected a £4million bid for the Israeli from Chelsea are wide of the mark.

However, the Premier League champions are interested in the 30-year-old and Benayoun has made no secret of his desire to move to Stamford Bridge.

Benayoun, who signed a new four-year deal last summer, was mysteriously left out of Liverpool’s squad for the final game of the season at Hull City.

A switch to Russia initially looked on the cards with CSKA and Spartak Moscow vying for his services, while his agent recently revealed he could be tempted by a move to Roma.

However, Chelsea are now the favourites to secure his signature and manager Carlo Ancelotti is hoping a deal can be completed before the World Cup finals begin.

“There has been no approach from any club for Yossi Benayoun,” a Liverpool spokesman insisted today.

Benayoun, who cost £5million from West Ham three years ago, grew increasingly frustrated at Anfield last season.

He started 29 games but much to his displeasure he was substituted by manager Rafa Benitez on 22 occasions.

The former West Ham star believes Liverpool will let him go if Chelsea offer £6million.
“Ancelotti wants me for next season and now everything depends on Liverpool,” Benayoun said while on international duty with Israel.

“Chelsea will have to pay some £6m, but I believe that, in the end, I’ll be moving there.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool have reiterated that Fernando Torres is not for sale at any price this summer.

Chairman Martin Broughton is reported to have said that it might be better for Torres to leave because it could take up to three years to transform the club’s fortunes.

His comments were allegedly made to Sky Sports News presenter Charlotte Jackson, who disclosed details of a conversation she had with Broughton.

“I saw Martin Broughton at Chelsea’s Player of the Year dinner and he refused to tell me that we weren’t going to sell Torres,” Jackson said.

“He said, ‘At the moment, he’s still on board, but it’s going to take three years to turn the club around, and at his age . . .’ ”

The club insist, however, that Broughton has already publicly made it clear that Torres will not be sold.

Managing director Christian Purslow and co-owner Tom Hicks have also attempted to reassure supporters.

They have promised that bids for the Spaniard won’t be entertained.

Liverpool FC legends urge Tom Hicks and George Gillett to sell up and leave Anfield

A HOST of Liverpool FC legends today slammed the Anfield reign of co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and urged the Americans to sell the club.

The former players, including ex-captains Phil Thompson and Tommy Smith, admitted they are devastated by what has happened to the Reds since Hicks and Gillett took over in 2007.

They fear for Liverpool’s future unless the club is sold quickly.

Hicks and Gillett plunged the club into £351m of debt, with annual interest repayments of £40m.

Broken promises included their vow to build a new stadium in Stanley Park and invest heavily in the playing squad.

Previous owner David Moores admitted last week he “hugely regrets” selling to them and pleaded with Hicks and Gillett to stop “punishing” supporters.

Hicks’ response infuriated fans because he claimed the club is in better shape than three years ago.

Liverpool went up for sale last month but Hicks has admitted it could be more than a year before a deal is complete.

Potential investors were put off by the sky-high asking price of £600m-£800m, three times what they paid to take control in February 2007.

The Americans have ignored calls from the ECHO, previous owner Mr Moores and fans’ groups like Spirit Of Shankly to bring their disastrous Anfield tenure to a swift conclusion.

But supporters hope they might listen to some of the greatest names in the club's illustrious history.
PHIL THOMPSON made 477 appearances for Liverpool between 1972 and 1983.

He captained the club to European Cup glory in 1981 and later served the club as assistant manager.
He said: “I am an ex-player and an ex-assistant manager but overall I am a fan and I hate seeing the club in the mess it is in at the moment.

“As a club, we always did things well in the past but the way things have gone under the current ownership is shameful.

“A top-level club needs strong leadership but it is not there. Our owners handle the club from far away and only seem to agree to disagree.

“Until the club is sold, we are going nowhere. I heard they want between £600m and £800m and it could take over a year to happen.

“It is like a dagger through the heart reading that because we want them gone.

“Chairman Martin Broughton has to tell the owners what is a proper price for the club and convince them to get the deal done quickly.

“These are worrying times and I am dreading a transfer window where we have to settle for free transfers and cheap buys. We need owners who are going to invest.”

TOMMY SMITH is sixth in Liverpool’s all-time appearance list. The “Anfield Iron” played 638 games between 1963 and 1978.

He said: “Hicks and Gillett have picked on the wrong people in Liverpool fans. We will not stop until they have gone and the quicker they go, the better.
“The amount of money they are asking for is ridiculous. They should be glad to just get their money back.

“If it is not sorted out before the start of next season, we are going to be right in the mire. The squad is not good enough and we desperately need money for new players.

“I am afraid the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano might decide they have had enough and leave.

“Over the past three years, Liverpool have gone from being one of the best-run clubs in the world to one of the worst. We have not won anything under their ownership.

“We need owners who will not only invest money but provide leadership. We cannot go forward with these two in charge.”

JIMMY CASE won three European Cups and four league titles during a stunning career with the Reds. He played 269 games between 1975 and 1981.

He said: “The Americans made promises about what they were going to do in terms of investment in players and building the new stadium but not kept them.
“The two of them do not even get on with each other so it was never going to work.

“We finished seventh this season so it is obvious something needs to happen.

“The problem is they are businessmen rather than football people.

“Players and managers come and go, but the club is always there.”
ALAN KENNEDY scored the winning goal in the 1981 European Cup final and netted the deciding penalty in the final three years later. He made 359 appearances for the club between 1978 and 1985.

He said: “I am saddened by what has happened at the club over the past three years.
“I have no doubt Rick Parry and David Moores honestly believed the offer from the Americans would be best for the club.

“George Gillett addressed the former players association a few years back to outline their plans.

“It all sounded so positive but it just has not happened.

“Now we are all worried about the future. What happens now? Is there a billionaire out there?

“At the moment there is so much instability and it was the worst 12 months for the club for a long time.

“As ex-players, we want to see the club moving in the right direction. We are not happy and I am sure the manager and the players are not happy either.

“We need new owners to make a new start with some new players to get us back up there.”

JOHN ALDRIDGE was a boyhood Liverpool fan who signed for the club in 1987. During his two and a half years at Anfield, he scored an impressive 63 goals in 104 games.

He said: “It is ridiculous for Hicks to say we are in a good situation – we are in a massive mess.
“They must realise Liverpool has bottomed out during their ownership. They should be prepared to accept whatever the realistic figure for the club is and leave.

“The only way the club can move forward is if the current owners sell up. They have to go for the good of the club. You just hope there is someone out there who is prepared to come in and bail us out.

“It can be turned around but we want somebody with our long-term interests at heart.”

IAN ST JOHN was one of the most significant signings in Liverpool history. Bought by boss Bill Shankly for a club record £37,500 from Motherwell in 1961, “The Saint” stayed for a decade and scored 118 goals in 425 games.
He said: “I do not understand finance and I do not understand how we ended up in so much debt.

“How can a successful club like Liverpool, who fill their ground week in, week out, get into the trouble they are in now? I am baffled by it.

“There was one disappointment after another in the last few years. We were promised a new stadium but it has not happened. It is easy to pass the buck and say it is all the Americans’ fault. We cannot blame them for all the problems on the pitch. After all, we have had some good players leave and new players come in who are not good enough.

“But the fact is that for the first time in 50 years the club is in turmoil.

“Everyone had respect for Liverpool because we did things in the right way. We kept our house in order, but now our house is in disarray.

“The club was a model for how things should be done but we have certainly lost that image now.”

TERRY McDERMOTT played in three European Cup winning sides for Liverpool. The Kirkby-born midfielder made 329 appearances from 1974-1982.
He said: “The situation with the owners needs sorting as soon as possible.

“It cannot be allowed to fester because things can only get worse if that happens.

“Liverpool cannot afford another season like the one they have just had. They need to decide the big issues one way or another now.

“It is not for me to say whether Rafa Benitez has done a good job or not, but they have to either back the manager or not. They cannot leave things undecided like they have.

“As an ex-player, and someone who remains a fan, it is heartbreaking to see the way the club has gone over the past few years. It really is.

“Hicks and Gillett have said they are going to sell, which is good. But they have got to try and make it as easy as possible for anyone coming in, and make sure the deal is done.

“If they have proper hearts, as they say they do, they must make it a quick and painless sale, so Liverpool can get back to where they belong – at the top.”

Liverpool FC only need two or three new faces says Alan Hansen

ALAN HANSEN insists Liverpool only need “two or three” new signings to turn them into Premier League title contenders.

The Reds endured a miserable campaign as they slumped to seventh place – their worst league finish for 11 years.

Rafa Benitez’s men were 23 points adrift of champions Chelsea but Reds legend Hansen believes just a few additions are needed this summer to close the gap.

“Liverpool have got to forget what’s gone before and concentrate on what’s ahead of them,” he said.

“It’s going to be difficult but I’d look at 1986-87 when Everton won the league and we came second.

“I knew we were a long way short. Kenny Dalglish knew that too and he brought in Barnes, Beardsley, Aldridge, Spackman and Houghton.

“That turned it around like you’d never believe. We went from not being nearly good enough to being a great side.

“Hopefully that can happen to this Liverpool side because they’ve got some great players.
“If they can just get two or three more in who can do a job.”

The former centre-back, who skippered the double-winning side of 1986, insists Liverpool won’t struggle to attract top stars – despite the fact they can’t offer Champions League football next season. “Liverpool are still Liverpool – they’re still massive and they still have the greatest support in the world,” he added.

“Next season we’ve got to do better – there’s no doubt about it. Every summer is important but if you look around, Chelsea and Manchester United also need revamping and Arsenal also need players.”

Liverpool FC youngster Conor Coady in dreamland after captaining England to European Championship glory

LIVERPOOL starlet Conor Coady has revealed his delight at skippering England under-17s to European Championship glory.

The 17-year-old midfielder was one of four Merseyside youngsters who played in Sunday’s impressive 2-1 final victory over favourites Spain in Liechtenstein.

Coady was joined by Reds clubmate Andre Wisdom and Everton duo Ross Barkley and Luke Garbutt.

It was the first time an England men’s team have landed a major trophy for 17 years.

The last success was at the European Under-18 Championships in 1993 when the side included Robbie Fowler, Paul Scholes, Sol Campbell and Gary Neville.

Liverpool-born Coady said: “I’m just delighted with everything that’s happened.

“At the end I ran over to the dugout and slid on my knees and then I just got piled on and I couldn’t breathe.

“It’s just unbelievable. I can’t believe we’ve done it. Lifting that trophy was just unreal. It’s everything I’ve dreamt about and I’m so proud to have done it.

“I went up and I was shaking people’s hands and the fella gave me the trophy and I just thought ‘let’s get it up there!’ so I gave it a kiss and then just put it straight in the air.

“I’ve loved every minute of this tournament and to captain the side as well, I’m just totally made up.

“It’s been a great experience for us all and I think it will help us as players a few years down the line.”

Wisdom enjoyed an eventful day as it was his own goal which put Spain ahead midway through the first half.

However, the Leeds-born defender atoned eight minutes later when he headed in Josh McEachran’s corner.

Highly-rated Ipswich striker Connor Wickham got the winner just after the break.
Wisdom said: “Spain have got a very attacking team with some of the greatest players in the world at our age and playing against them was a great experience.

“Their goal took a little deflection off me but I forgot about it as soon as it happened because that’s what you’ve got to do as a defender.

“Then, when the ball came in from Josh’s corner I thought ‘right, I’m getting my head on this’ and I’m just happy for the team.

“I don’t score many goals but I just scored in the biggest game of my life so I think I went a bit crazy.

“Winning this trophy is my biggest achievement in the game. We’ve been away for three weeks, training hard and playing well and this is what we’ve achieved. It’s unreal.”

Left-back Garbutt, who joined Everton from Leeds last summer, added: “I’m buzzing. All the lads are really happy.

“I’d been booked towards the end of the game and I was just concentrating on their winger, not diving in and just showing him down the line so I didn’t know it was the end of the game.

“But then I saw everyone rush towards the bench and then I think we all just went mental. It’s incredible.”

It was also a special day for fellow Blue Barkley. The young midfielder played a crucial role in the winning goal.

“I’m made up,” Barkley said.

“We knew we had to settle it down towards the end. We had to stop their counter attacks and when we couldn’t, we just had to defend for our lives.

“I was so relieved when the game ended. This could benefit our careers loads.”

Manager John Peacock paid tribute to his Merseyside quartet.

Peacock said: “I’m absolutely delighted for the players because they’ve worked so hard and the spirit has been first class.

“It means a lot to the English game. We’ve got our critics – that we’re not producing players. I think we have produced many good players in this tournament.

“What was missing was a trophy that we can put our name to. We’ve done that now. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another 17 years for another one.”

Liverpool FC rumour mill: Chairman in Torres-to-Chelsea talk, Anfield legend warns Mourinho over Gerrard, Benayoun eyeing Stamford Bridge move?

Martin Broughton, the Liverpool chairman, is reported to have said that it might be better for Fernando Torres to leave because it could take up to three years to sort the club out

Source: The Times

Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson has warned new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho he will have a difficult task prising Steven Gerrard away from Anfield

Source: The Telegraph

Benayoun: Ancelotti wants me at Chelsea

Source: The Guardian

Barcelona to renew interest in Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano

Source: Goal.com

Man City to outbid Liverpool for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez

Source: Tribal Football

Rangers reject Liverpool FC's £2m bid for teenage defender Danny Wilson

LIVERPOOL are considering their options after having a £2million bid rejected by Rangers for talented young defender Danny Wilson.

Manager Rafa Benitez is a big fan of the 18-year-old centre-back and is hoping to bring him to Anfield this summer.

However, the Reds insist they won’t be held to ransom over Wilson, who only has 12 months remaining on his current deal and has turned down Rangers’ offer of a new contract.

Liverpool must now decide whether to up their bid or focus their attention on other targets.

Rangers manager Walter Smith said: “We are currently waiting to hear back from Liverpool after we rejected their original £2million offer.”

The Reds are aware that if Scotland’s PFA Young Player of the Year stays at Ibrox and sees out the remaining year of his contract they would only have to pay Rangers around £650,000 in compensation next summer.

Livingston-born Wilson, who came through the youth ranks at Rangers, made his first team debut last October and went on to make 25 first-team appearances.

Tottenham are also interested in Wilson and Rangers chief executive Martin Bain admitted they rejected approaches from two English Premier League clubs back in January.

Meanwhile, Wilson’s Rangers team-mate Madjid Bougherra insists he’s now happy to stay at Ibrox after boss Smith signed a new one-year deal.

The Algerian defender had previously claimed he was keen to return to England this summer and made it clear Liverpool was his preferred destination.

The former Charlton star said: “Walter signing his contract is better for me. He knows my style, he knows my game and he’s been great with me.

“I am happy to stay and I will give Rangers 200%. I have two years left on my contract and I have not asked to negotiate.

“I have never asked for a contract and I plan to be back for pre-season training after the World Cup.

“I would prefer to stay and win trophies and play in the Champions League with Rangers than go to a club which can’t give me these things.”

Reds trio Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher all came through England’s unconvincing 2-1 friendly victory over Japan in Austria yesterday unscathed.

Johnson was handed a starting berth before being substituted at half-time in the final warm-up game ahead of the World Cup finals. Gerrard and Carragher both played the second half.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel handed Slovakia a major boost ahead of the World Cup finals after completing 90 minutes in their 1-1 draw with Cameroon.

The Reds centre-back only returned to full training earlier this month after suffering a broken metatarsal against Unirea in February.

Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina both sat out Spain’s 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia.

Krisztian Nemeth came on for Hungary in their 3-0 defeat to Germany.