Benitez waits on Torres, Gerrard and Johnson's fitness

Reds boss Rafael Benitez is waiting on late fitness tests on Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson ahead of Sundays Premiership clash with Manchester United. All three are recovering from groin problems and it is hoped they will be ready for the North West derby. Torres trained with his teammates today and will be further assessed tomorrow, while Johnson missed the midweek Champions League defeat to Lyon. Benitez has spoken of his belief that Johnson will be fit and he also hopes Gerrard recovers in time for the game.

"It's the same situation for all the players," said Benitez to the official web site today.

"Fernando trained today and has been working to a specific programme.

"We will speak with the physios over the weekend before making a decision about Steven.

"Hopefully Glen will be available but we'll have to wait and see. We will make late decisions with all of them."

Asked if Alberto Aquilani would play a part in Sundays game, after his midweek appearance for the reserves, Benitez replied:

"No, I don't think so. We wanted to give him some time on the pitch but still it's too soon to say when he can play for the first team."

Merson will have to re-think his criticism of Glen Johnson

Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce has written an amusing article for 'Blood Red' entitled: "Glen Johnson will make Paul Merson eat his words"

The ex Arsenal player turned TV 'expert', who infamously admitted to being an alcoholic, cocaine and gambling addict has consistently voiced his anti Liverpool opinions on 'Soccer Saturday,' questioned Rafa Benitez for paying £17m for Glen Johnson.

Speaking recently Merson said: “The Premier League is not blessed with 15 world-class left wingers so I don’t see how a right-back can affect a game that much.”

“I’ve got nothing against the player, I think he was outstanding for Portsmouth last year, but I just don’t think you should be spending that amount of money on somebody who plays at right-back.”

Writer James Pearce says: "Now it’s still early days but Merson and his mates may find themselves having to eat their words."

Johnson who has made an impressive start in a Red shirt, cutting though defences with his penetrating runs, has made one goal after being felled for a penalty at Spurs and scored an acrobatic scissor kick goal against Stoke on his Anfield debut. The player who celebrates his 25th birthday today has made such an exciting start to his Anfield career that £17m could prove to be a bargain!

Johnson sets his sights on Premiership glory

Reds new signing Glen Johnson has declared that Liverpool football club rubs shoulders with the best teams in the world and thinks only a few adjustments will push the Reds to Premiership glory. Speaking to a packed press conference after the squad received a heroes welcome upon arriving in Thailand's capital: Bangkok, Johnson said:

"I just want to play with the consistency I did last year and, hopefully, with the attacking play and the defensive side that I’ve improved on," reports the Post.

"I’d just like to be doing that week in, week out again."

"They’re (Liverpool) right up there with the world’s best and they showed that by how close they came last season so a few minor errors that could be cut out and there will be massive improvements."

"It’s a whole different club, the organisation and the professionalism of all the staff makes a difference."

Johnson says putting on Liverpool shirt 'lived up to expectations'

Liverpool’s latest signing Glen Johnson has revealed his pride in putting the Liverpool shirt on for the first time in last night’s pre season friendly against St.Gallen. Reported in todays Echo, the Liverpool defender said:

“Pulling that shirt on for the first time definitely lived up to my expectations.”

“I know it was only a friendly game but it was my chance to finally get that shirt on my back so I’m really pleased about that.”

“But obviously the big thing for me now is the thought of playing for Liverpool at Anfield – I can’t wait for that.”

“The lads have been brilliant to me since I got here. It isn’t easy when you move to a new club and when I first arrived I think there were about 50 professionals there. Obviously it’s hard to remember all of their names straight away but the lads have been fantastic from the start. It’s nice when you know a couple before you start, as was the case for me. But, like I said, absolutely everyone has been great to me.”

Manager Rafa Benitez who used Johnson on the left rather then his preferred position on the right said: “Johnson did well. I was using him on the left because he has to think more about his defending there.”

“We know that he is really good going forward and in this game he played well in defence and well in attack so it was good.”

“If he is playing left-back it means he cannot go in attack in the same way because he is not quite as comfortable with his left foot as he is with his right so this means he will think more about defending.”

“The team was good in attack and we created some chances which is always good. I am a little disappointed because we gifted them three chances but then it is pre-season, we have a lot of new players so the understanding is not where it needs to be yet and neither is the fitness.”

Johnson to make Reds debut in tomorrow’s Swiss friendly

Rafa Benitez has been speaking ahead of the pre season friendly with St Gallen tomorrow evening. Reported in the Independent, the Spanish manager believes new signing Glen Johnson offers value for money in this summers ‘crazy’ transfer window:

"Yes, the money people are asking is crazy. I hear, for example, that people at Seville are asking for 41m Euros for Daniel Alves. That is a lot."

"The market is crazy, but you must pay good money for good players.”

"The money for Johnson is OK. He is English, an international with quality and he is worth the money. He is a very good attacking player. If you try to buy a winger it can be £50m to £60m at current prices, but Johnson as an offensive full-back can give us more options.”

"He can be good for us, especially when we are at home and teams are defending against us. Going forward he will give us something different, something special. He is a good addition for us."

Johnson is expected to make his Liverpool debut tomorrow evening, but Benitez who has 24 players to choose from at the Swiss training camp says: "We will try to use all the players. Our idea is to use one team in the first half and change it at half-time.”

"We have the video of their recent game against Basel and they were well organised - the manager knows what to do. The main thing for us is to get the match fitness, the result is not too important even though we want to win every single game - but it will be interesting.”

"The important thing is to see how the team is on the pitch and see the understanding between the players."

Youngsters Martin Kelly, Mikel San Jose, Daniel Pacheco, Peter Gulacsi, Daniel Ayala and Krisztian Nemeth have joined the squad’s training camp and will be given the chance to impress.

Glen Johnson declares: he's come to Anfield to win trophies!

Liverpool’s first summer signing Glen Johnson was unveiled to the press today at Melwood. The player who has become the clubs record breaking defender says joining the Reds was an easy decision.

“Obviously it's a fantastic club with a great history and I've always had a little soft spot for Liverpool. I spoke to Rafa and I knew where I wanted to go in my stomach, so it was an easy decision. Rafa was keen to help me improve and turn me into the player I can be.”

Fabio Capello’s first choice right back was a hot target for a number of clubs including former employer Chelsea. But Johnson declared returning to Stamford Bridge was never an option. When asked how close he was to rejoining Chelsea, the defender stated:

“Not very close at all. I had a spell at Chelsea before and there were good and bad times but when a club like Liverpool comes in for you it is not a hard decision," he told the official site. "Obviously Portsmouth will know a lot more than me about that but according to the papers there was a lot of interest. But when I heard about Liverpool it was an easy decision. When I left Chelsea I needed to play games, and obviously I'm very grateful Portsmouth took me on. I played week in, week out and I like to think I showed people a better perspective of what I can do. Now I've been given this opportunity I want to try and do what I did last season and improve as a player.”

Speaking about the challenge that lays ahead in the coming season Johnson maintains the club needs to improve upon last years fantastic season.

“We've got a great team and a great squad. We'll try to make it as difficult as we can for everyone we play against. We are looking to improve throughout the whole squad. If we can pick up a few more points and make a few less mistakes then we can look to improve. The boys did fantastically well last year. Hopefully we can now get a few more points and steal it from Manchester United. We want to go as far as we can in every competition but all the lads want to win the Premier League and that would be a great start."

Johnson says he’s come to the club to win trophies and he’s energized about putting on the Liverpool kit on for the first time and hearing the Anfield crowd sing:

“I'm delighted. I've come to win a few trophies. I knew Carra and Stevie and some of the other lads from playing against them. I am looking forward to it. Funnily enough, even though I am from south London, the first football kit I ever had was a Liverpool kit. It's a fantastic club - one of the biggest in the world. It's got a great history and I wanted to be a part of that. The hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you come to Anfield and hear You'll Never Walk Alone even when you don't play for Liverpool, so I cannot begin to imagine how it is going to feel when I put the kit on for the first time.”

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is delighted with the signing:

"We are really pleased because we've signed a really good player, an England international. It's very positive. He has quality and a very good mentality, and from the first time I spoke with him it was clear he wanted to come here.

"He has quality, that's clear. He's more mature - you can see from the press conference he is good.

"Chelsea were trying to win big trophies at the time he was there and they needed experience in order to win. Now it is a good moment because he is a much better player, he has the experience and the desire."

Transfer Speculation: Esteban Cambiasso

Liverpool have reportedly lined up Esteban Cambiasso as potential reinforcement in case the Reds “midfield is weakened by raids from Spain”, claims the Mail.

The 28-year-old Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso is Rafa’s primary target claim reports in Spain. The versatile Argentina international is also said to be wanted by Manchester City.

Meanwhile in other news: Liverpool will introduce Glen Johnson to the media at a news conference tomorrow.

Johnson completes his move to The Reds with four year deal

England defender Glen Johnson has today finally completed his move to Liverpool Football Club. The defender has signed a four-year deal reveals the official Liverpool FC site. The 24-year-old arrives from Portsmouth and becomes Rafa Benitez's first major acquisition of the summer ahead of the 2009-10 season. His squad number has yet to be decided.

Benitez speaking about the player to the official site, said Johnson “is a winner. I was impressed with the conversations I had with him.”

Rafa also explained the difficulty’s of operating in the current transfer market: “We knew the market was going to be difficult this summer and some of it has been crazy. Manchester City and Chelsea were there - they were making offers. We had to be quick and the club acted quickly. It was down to the player whether he chose us or City or Chelsea and he chose us. It was very clear from talking to him that he wanted to play for Liverpool.”

With the press speculating about Alvaro Arbeloa’s future at the club, Benitez hopes he will sign a new deal: “Arbeloa was a good player for us last year. The thing is, he has one year left on his contract. We have offered him an extension and we're talking. He is our player but if there is a good offer we have to consider it. We have two or three clubs asking about him. He would like to stay but he knows the competition will be hard.”

Rafa also spoke about the prospect of more new signings this summer: “We are working and trying to bring new players in but we are happy with the squad we have at the moment. We were thinking about improving and with Johnson we have improved. Like I have already said, we could buy one more player without selling anyone. We now have to wait.”

Rafa speaks on Johnson

Rafa Benitez has spoken for the first time of his first signing of the summer Glen Johnson. The interview has been reported by most of the press as “Benitez defends his decision”. Rafa always appears to be defending one decision or other to the media. Interestingly this type of terminology has not been attached to any of Mark Hughes’ purchases at City. Speaking about Johnson in tonight's Echo, Rafa said:

“You can’t compete in the top four of the Premier League unless you spend some money. We were looking for a player of quality and also somebody who is British because of the new Champions League rules.

“Glen Johnson fits both categories.”

The new rule specifies that clubs can have a maximum of 25 players and that eight of them must be home-grown – defined as someone who was trained for over three years by a club from the relevant national association between the ages of 15 and 21.

The player has agreed a deal with the Reds and is expected to finalise the agreement in the next 48 hours.

Benitez also suggested that Johnson won’t be the last signing.

“We have a plan,” added Benitez. “We can sign one more player if necessary, but that’s without any players leaving.”

Alvaro Arbeloa has been the subject of speculation linking him to Real Madrid and Benitez admitted they may take a look at an offer if it was presented to the club:

“Alvaro Arbeloa has had a very good season but he has one year left on his contract,” said the Reds boss. “If he signs that will be good because we will have more competition, but if we get a good offer we will have to consider it.”

Liverpool sign Glen Johnson

The official Liverpool FC site has announced that the club that have agreed a deal with Portsmouth to sign Glen Johnson. The Reds have beaten Chelsea to the signature of the England international after both clubs agreed fees with Portsmouth earlier this month. Johnson has decided to make the switch to Anfield rather than return to Stamford Bridge for a second spell.

The short statement reads:
“Liverpool FC confirmed this evening that they had reached an agreement with Portsmouth Football Club and with Glen Johnson for the transfer of the player to Anfield.”

Transfer Speculation: Glen Johnson

The press have surrounded the transfer of Glen Johnson with speculation, contradictions, rumour, gossip and probably a heap if fibs. The problem is how to sort the wheat from the chaff. If we were to believe today's news, Johnson has signed for a transfer fee of anything between £17-£19m, he's joined 'either' Liverpool or Chelsea, and he's had a medical last night or maybe this weekend. Here’s a breakdown of what the press are saying regarding the transfer today:

The Times
Peter Storrie, Portsmouth’s chief executive, said today: "The matter will come to a conclusion at the beginning of next week. I do not have a preference over the move, it is up to Glen,” Storrie said. “The deals are almost identical so it really is down to him and what club he prefers, which one is going to pay him more money." The article added: "Chelsea have matched Liverpool's £18.5 million bid for Glen Johnson, increasing the possibility that Jose Bosingwa will leave the Londoners for Bayern Munich.”

Then elsewhere in the same paper it says:
“Glen Johnson was having a medical at Liverpool last night after a fee of up to £18.5 million was agreed with Portsmouth. Liverpool will pay about £5 million this summer, with the rest over the length of his contract, because they are owed about £7 million by Portsmouth from the sale of Peter Crouch last summer.”

The Express:
"Benitez is set to announce the £18million capture of Glen Johnson from Portsmouth after the player passed a medical yesterday."

The Mirror:

"England right-back Glen Johnson will today complete an £18million move to Liverpool. The Portsmouth defender has gone through a secret medical after agreeing terms on a contract."

The Daily Star
“Chelsea last night hijacked Glen Johnson’s proposed £18.5m move to Liverpool.”

The Liverpool Echo
"Liverpool, however, remain confident that the £17m defender has made up his mind on a move to Anfield. He is expected to cut short a holiday to have a medical this weekend."

The Daily Mail.

"Reports Chelsea matched Liverpool's bid are slightly awry. Chelsea were first to agree terms with Portsmouth a fortnight ago at £17m and Liverpool followed but the player still seems destined for Anfield. Chelsea are not totally out of the equation but the player is excited more by Liverpool's project and the chance to link up with Gerrard, Torres and Co."

Speaking of Torres, here's what he has to say on Johnson:

"We have total trust in the boss and we will trust whoever he brings in, but yes, Glen Johnson has had an excellent season," reports Sky Sports. Torres added: "He has established himself as the first-choice right back in what is now an England team playing very good football. He is used to playing top-four football, so there would be no issue about him making the step up."

Are Johnson kits on sale at the 'Official Store'?

A brilliant piece of investigative work by Kings of the Kop reveals just how close the Johnson deal is to completion. The LFC Official Store has Johnson listed on the replica kits page. The 'personalise' drop down menu reveals all the current squad players and their numbers. It also lists Glen Johnson. No squad number is given, but the simple message 'TBC' is stated next to his name.

UPDATE:

The official LFC store has removed the option of adding Glen Johnson's name from it's replica kit page.

20 June '09 UPDATE:

Journalist James Pearce reports this story in today’s Echo. Entitled ‘Don’t put your shirt on it mate!’, the article says: “Liverpool were a bit quick off the mark earlier this week with their online shop including Johnson’s name in the list of players for shirt printing. ‘Johnson TBC’ was one of the options greeting fans looking to buy a new replica top but a few hours later it was removed. Chelsea suffered embarrassment last summer when fans started parading shirts with Robinho on the back before the Brazilian opted to sign for Manchester City instead. What’s that old saying about not counting your chickens?”

Transfer Speculation

Glen Johnson
Speaking of the deal, the Telegraph says: “two Liverpool bids, in the region of £12 million, were turned down by Portsmouth last summer and in January but Benitez is confident a £10 million fee paid over two years, plus an agreement to write off the £7 million the south coast club still owe for Peter Crouch, will be enough to land the former Chelsea player.” The Independent also says the deal will make Johnson “one of the club's highest earners” with his “substantial wage, thought to be £80,000-a-week net of tax.” Today’s Echo says “the deal is likely to be held up because the player is on holiday.” And “Johnson only recently started his summer break following his exertions for England in the World Cup qualifiers and Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie is currently in Israel for talks with club owner Sacha Gaydamak.”

David Villa
The Guardian’s ‘Rumour Mill’ section says: “David Villa has told 'close friends' that he only wants to play for Rafael Benítez in the Premier League.” Sky Sports is also running an interview the player gave to the press following the game in Bloemfontein. He was unwilling to divulge the name of the club, but said the following: “I have made my decision. My agent knows my wishes, and he is now working on that - so I am relaxed. There is no deadline on the subject, and I really do not have any more details as this whole thing is not totally dependent on me."

Ryan Babel
Also in the Guardian: Frank Rijkaard, the new coach of the Turkish side Galatasaray, “has approached Liverpool about signing Ryan Babel. The Dutch international was a peripheral figure at Anfield last season and is likely to be sold should Liverpool receive a significant bid for a player bought for £11m from Ajax in 2007.”

Pepe Reina
The Independent claims: “Barcelona are set to launch a bid for Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina according to various reports.” Contract talks with current number one Victor Valdes have apparently broken down according to the article and Valdes “has a year left on his contract, has been pushing for parity with Xavi, who is paid £150,000 a week.” Barcelona are refusing to go that high and have been considering their options, and believe a bid of £17m for Reina “would test Liverpool's resolve, especially considering the financial difficulties the Anfield club are currently in.”

The article also suggests Liverpool may also face a battle to keep midfielder Javier Mascherano. This is of course old news, so I’m not sure how much weight the Reina story carries, considering the papers source is: “various reports”. I could speak to ‘The Main (Stand) Man’ and next doors cat about a transfer then claim the same thing.

Andrea Dossena
The Telegraph says “Benitez may sacrifice two full-backs to ensure he has the funds to bolster his attack, with Andrea Dossena edging closer to a £6 million move to Juventus.” However, the Mail is running an interview with Dossena's agent Roberto La Florio, who said: “At the moment, there are no updates. The Bianconeri club (Juventus) have yet to decide whether to consider my client or (Lyon's) Fabio Grosso. If they decide to target my client then we would evaluate the offer. He (Dossena) is happy at Liverpool but Juventus is Juventus, and he's a little nostalgic for Italy.”

Alvaro Arbeloa
The Telegraph also states Arbeloa “could also be sold, with the Liverpool manager braced for an £8 million approach from Real Madrid once Spain's involvement in the Confederations Cup ends. Arbeloa has just 12 months left on his contract and, while Benitez had suggested he would be offered a new deal, his failure to sign one indicates his time on Merseyside is drawing to a close.”
The story is also reported by Sky Sports, which has an interview the player made to Spanish newspaper ‘Elmundo’: "I am happy at Liverpool, but I have something to prove in Spain as I did not show my best form in La Liga. One day, I'm sure I will return. It is always nice to be linked to big teams - even to this Madrid side in a time of transition. They are working hard to build a great team. I have one more year remaining on my Liverpool deal, but anything can happen. A contract renewal is in the air. I am contracted for one more year, but if Liverpool get an offer they will consider it. It is all in the hands of my agent."

Johnson bid 'accepted' claims media

"Liverpool had an offer of about £18.5 million for Glen Johnson accepted last night" claims the Times.

The article also says Chelsea were “unwilling to match the fee for a player they sold for £4 million two years ago. Manchester City expressed an interest, but have not matched the price, which will include add-ons.” Presumably Johnson will begin negotiating terms with the Reds before the deal can be finalised. Todays Echo says "The Reds are wary about making any official statement after their experience with Gareth Barry last month." It also claims the "fee handed over, however, will be significantly less than £17m, with money still owed for last summer's transfer of Peter Crouch." and "Liverpool would seek to make up the remainder by offloading Alvaro Arbeloa to Real Madrid for £8m and returning Andrea Dossena to Italy."

I’m not sure Liverpool will sell their current right back Arbeloa, as the Spanish defender enjoyed his best season yet with the Reds. The team did not have a natural replacement when he was injured and had to resort to playing Jamie Carragher. My assumption was that Johnson would be competing with Arbeloa for the position, as the team fight in four competitions. Dossena on the other hand appears to be a more viable option to sell. The position has plenty of cover in Aurelio and Degen and the Dossena has expressed a desire to move to Italy with Juventus potential buyers.

Rafa's £17m bid for Johnson accepted by Portsmouth

Transfer Speculation

Rafael Benitez's £17 million bid for Glen Johnson has been accepted by Portsmouth reports today’s Telegraph. He story says part of the fee will involve “writing off £7 million owed for Peter Crouch.”

The article goes on to speculate: “Benitez has a kitty of £15 million, though he may find that augmented once co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have refinanced their £350 million loan with RBS and Wachovia. Sources at the club insist he does not have to sell to buy, though a mooted £6 million bid from Real Madrid for right-back Alvaro Arbeloa may be too good to turn down.”

Portsmouth chairman admits Johnson deal imminent

Transfer Speculation

Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie has revealed the club have received a bid for Glen Johnson and that a deal could be concluded imminently. Liverpool are thought to be the front-runners for his signature. Johnson has established himself as Fabio Capello's first choice at right-back and has enjoyed his best season for Portsmouth. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Storrie said:

"Glen has had a fantastic season for us and I think he is the best right-back in the country at the moment. I've know Glen a long while, from my West Ham days. When I re-signed him (at Portsmouth) we talked things over. He said, 'If one of the big four come in with Champions League football, would you stand in my way?' I told him I couldn't do that. Providing the deal is right for Portsmouth and Glen then we will look to try and do something in the right way. It is very hard to try and hold people back when they have a chance to play in the Champions League. I accept that."

When asked if an offer of between £15million and £18million had been tabled, Storrie replied: "You may not be a million miles away from the mark." Storrie went on to concede that a deal could be struck imminently, adding: "I wouldn't think it would be too long."

Liverpool set to unveil Johnson within days

Transfer Speculation

Rafa Benitez will step up his pursuit of Glen Johnson over the weekend and "hopes to unveil the England right back as his first summer signing in the next few days," reports the Mail.

Chelsea are Liverpool's chief rivals in the race to capture his signature after having a £17million bid accepted by Portsmouth last week. Manchester City and Bayern Munich have also expressed their interest in Johnson.

However, the article claims: “Benitez remains confident of seeing off the 24-year-old's former club after it emerged that Anfield would be his preferred destination.”

The Liverpool manager could use an outstanding amount from “Peter Crouch's move to Portsmouth - thought to be around £7million - to top up his available funds and match Chelsea's £17million offer” says the article. “Johnson has become Benitez's No 1 target in recent weeks” and his attacking runs down the right for Portsmouth and England have convinced Benitez of his value. But, “his arrival will leave little leeway for further strengthening.”

The story also states “Benitez has also lodged a £2m bid for Johnson's Fratton Park team-mate Sylvain Distin,” but the manager may have to “consider selling before making any other signings.” Benitez could raise some funds “by sacrificing Yossi Benayoun after reports in Israel that Tottenham, as well as Barcelona, had made an approach for the midfielder,” says the story. Benayoun has apparently “been priced at £12m for foreign clubs but would cost even more for any of Liverpool's Barclays Premier League rivals,” according to the article.

Transfer Speculation round up

Here’s a round up of other gossip, chitter-chat, rumour and speculation from around the web.

Yossi Benayoun, who recent reports suggests has been linked with Barcelona, is expected to be offered an extension to his Liverpool contract, which has two years left, claims the Echo. The article also says “the player himself seems set to reject any advances” from Catalan club, by quoting an interview the player made last week: “It could be Real Madrid knocking on my door, I'd still rather stay at Liverpool.” The comment was made before speculation arose of interest from Barcelona.

Luc Castaignos. “Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are said to be competing for Luc Castaignos, the Feyenoord striker whose potential has been likened to Thierry Henry. Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is expected to travel to the Netherlands this month to talk to the 16-year-old, who has two years left on his contract,” claim's the Times.

Glen Johnson. Also in the Times, “Manchester City have apparently made an approach for Glen Johnson, the Portsmouth right back who had been expected to move to Liverpool this summer. The 24-year-old, who has also attracted interest from Chelsea, his former club, signed a 4½-year contract in January after being pursued by Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.”

Andrea Dossena. The Independent says “Benitez could soon tie up a deal to sell full-back Andrea Dossena to Juventus for £6.5m, after the Italian failed to settle at Anfield.”

Also in the Independent: Madrid sources have linked Alvaro Negredo, Alberto Bueno, Javier Saviola or Gabriel Heinze as possible makeweights in any possible deal for, yes, you guessed it: Xabi Alonso

Alvaro Negredo. Setanta has Real Madrid's Alvaro Negredo moving to Valencia in a swap plus cash cash with Valencia star David Villa. Negredo however seems open for a Liverpool move instead. Speaking to Spanish sports paper ‘AS’ he stated: “I already said they are a great club and playing alongside Fernando Torres would be huge."

Ezequiel Lavezzi's agent, Alejandro Mazzoni insists Liverpool have bid for the player despite denials from Benitez and Napoli general director Pierpaolo Marino. Quoted in the Telegraph Mazzoni said: "Pierpaolo Marino continues to lie," said Mazzoni. "I reiterate that a Fifa agent presented Napoli with an offer from Liverpool for Lavezzi. This was a formal procedure as the player cannot be contacted directly (by the interested club) because he is under contract with Napoli."

Rafa’s summer shopping list

Transfer Speculation

The Mirror has given a detailed description of how they see Rafa spending his summer transfer money. The article says:

The Liverpool manager will again be given sizeable funds this summer to make new signings, with more than £25million earmarked by the club's American owners. But Benitez knows he needs to take the final step to title glory, especially given the buys United will inevitably make this summer. So the additional funds will have to come from selling some of his current squad, with the likes of Ryan Babel, Andrea Dossena and possibly even Xabi Alonso sacrificed. That will give him almost £50million to spend, but he believes that will still mean him having to be perfect in his dealings. This time he would love to sign Valencia's tricky winger David Silva along with his colleague and Spanish centre half Raul Albiol, who between them would cost the best part of £30m.

The article additionally states "Benitez is also committed to the purchase of Gareth Barry, who he is hoping to land for £10m, and is keen on bringing Portsmouth's Glen Johnson to Anfield for a similar fee. That would be his kitty completely gone, yet Benitez would love the chance to take a swipe at Ferguson by also bidding to make Carlos Tevez the first player to move between Anfield and Old Trafford in more than 40 years."

Another Mirror article speculates that a devastated “Stewart Downing could miss out on his dream £12million switch to Liverpool or Spurs after suffering a broken foot. The England winger will have an operation on Friday to repair the break, sustained against Aston Villa last Saturday, that will keep him out until August at least and with little time to get fit ahead of a big-money transfer.”

Also in the Mirror is a piece claiming “Aston Villa are offering Gareth Barry a huge new deal in a final attempt to keep him out of Liverpool's clutches. Villa boss Martin O'Neill is willing to sanction England midfielder Barry, 28, getting a whopping £65,000-a-week to stay. The star has one year left on his contract at Villa Park and had been widely expected to move to Liverpool this summer. But O'Neill hopes the proposed new deal, plus the lure of regular first team football, the captaincy and offer of a testimonial, will tempt Barry to stay.”