Hull boss Brown eyes Voronin

Rafael Benitez upon arriving in Bangkok ahead of the club's two-match tour of Thailand and Singapore, gave Andriy Voronin the vote of confidence claiming he was “one of the best players in the German league.” But one gets the impression that the Liverpool manager was heaping praise on the striker in order to attract would be suitors for the Ukraine international’s services. In what must be surely music to the ears of all Liverpool fans, somebody was listening to Rafa’s tributes: Hull manager Phil Brown. Sky Sports reports that the Tigers boss is in the market for a striker having recently shown interest in signing Michael Owen before he moved to Liverpool’s rivals United.

"We have not made any contact with Liverpool with regards to Andriy Voronin," Brown said. However, when asked if Voronin was a player that could interest him, he added: "Of course he would."

Rafa reveals his first choice strikers are Torres and Gerrard

Rafa Benitez has revealed his first choice strikers for next season: Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard! He also stated that Andriy Voronin has pledged to fight for his place in the Anfield side, but Benitez admitted it would be difficult for him. Speaking about Voronin, the Reds manager said:

“He did really well in Germany last season, scoring plenty of goals, and he has told me that he wants to stay at the club and fight for his position," reports Sky Sports.

"I have told him that will be difficult with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard as our first-choice strikers, but he realises this and the players we have in the squad.”

"But he also knows that this club always plays more than 60 games a season and that means there are opportunities. He will fight for his place."

He added: "At this moment, he is a Liverpool player, but it depends on him.

“He is continuing to work hard and is playing well, so he will have a chance. It is good to have him back. When we signed him, we were looking for a player who could play between the lines as a second striker with quality. He has game intelligence, which is something we are always looking for."

Liverpool set to bid £2m for Distin

Transfer Speculation

Liverpool are set to launch a £2million bid to sign Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin states today’s Echo. The article says: “Reds boss Rafa Benitez is in the market for a new centre-back following the departure of Sami Hyypia to Bayer Leverkusen and believes the 31-year-old Frenchman fits the bill. Distin only has one year left on his contract at Fratton Park and recently admitted his future was uncertain. “Right now I expect to be here next season but I’m not in touch with anyone and tomorrow things can change,” he said. “There may be a new manager with his players and I won’t play. A lot of things can happen in the coming months. “All I want to do is go away on holiday, relax and refresh my mind and then I will come back and see what happens.” Bolton and Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the versatile 6ft 3ins defender who can play centre-back or left-back. Liverpool were interested in him two years ago but he made the switch to Portsmouth in order to get regular first team football.”

The article also claims, following today’s Tuncay speculation that “Benitez is keen to bolster his strikeforce with Andrei Voronin expected to depart having returned from his season-long loan on Hertha Berlin.”

Mascherano eager to see close friend Tevez at Anfield

Transfer Speculation

Javier Mascherano has admitted that he would love to see his close friend Carlos Tevez at Anfield. Recent speculation in the media has suggested that Tevez is contemplating a move from Old Trafford when his loan deal expires this summer. The player himself has confirmed he could be playing for one of United’s rivals next year. Speaking in today’s Telegraph about his Argentinean team mate possibly joining him at Anfield, Mascherano said: "It would be great if Carlos can come here because I know how good he is, but I don't know what the situation with his transfer is. It's something for the manager to talk about. All I can say is that he is a great player and a great person."

Phil Chisnall was the last player to directly transfer between the clubs, but Rafael Benitez is hoping to take advantage of Ferguson's apparent unwillingness to pay the reported £22 million fee agreed with Kia Joorabchian, Tevez's representative, to secure the striker.

The article goes on to say that “Benitez would struggle to compete in a bidding war for Tevez, with just £20 million plus player sales thought to be at his disposal, though the potential departure of Xabi Alonso for Real Madrid would give him a degree of leeway.”

The story also explains other transfer issues that Rafa may be encountering by stating “His transfer plans have already been disrupted by the announcement that Hertha Berlin will not look to sign on-loan striker Andriy Voronin on a permanent basis" Which holds little surprise to any Liverpool fan, most of which have suggested he "has all the skill of a donkey". The German side's failure to reach the Champions League means they will not be taking up the option to buy him and he will be returning to Anfield. 'The Independent' states that Voronin "is now expected to be put up for sale with a £6m price tag" !!!??? Are they talking about the same player?

The report also suggest that Liverpool will be outbid by Madrid in the race to sign Valencia's David Silva. Again, there's very little shock in this revelation. Madrid will be willing to spend big money on dancing ponies if it would lever control away from Barcelona in the La Liga