Benitez talks injuries: Carragher, Skrtel and Gerrard. Will they be fit to face Spurs?

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is hopeful Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard will all be fit for the Reds Premiership clash against Spurs on Sunday. Giving his pre-match press conference the Reds boss said:

"Skrtel trained yesterday and hopefully he'll be fit. Carragher has been working with the physios today and we think he'll be available. Agger is also working with the physios but it will be more difficult for him," said Benitez on the official site.

Benitez also spoke about Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard Gerrard who withdrew from England's friendly international with Holland with a tight groin:

"I am really pleased because Mr Capello wanted to protect players. Because Gerrard had a problem they did a scan and pulled him out of the squad. We don't know if he'll be fit. He was working with the physios yesterday and today.

"If the game would have been on Saturday it would be difficult but because it's on Sunday he could have a chance."

Alonso move becomes less clear the more papers you read

There appears to be mass speculation, contradiction, confusion, claim and counter claim in the media regarding the ‘summer saga’ that is Xabi Alonso. Today’s papers hold more plot twists then a Hitchcock movie and cold war spy thriller novel combined.

“For a club that has spent €160m on just two players, one would have imagined that splashing a further few million on a midfielder “fundamental” to their plans wouldn’t be a problem for ‘deep-pockets’ Florentino Perez,” says The Telegraph, however the “Madrid president is rather more frugal when the value of the player in question rests almost exclusively in football terms,” adds the story. The article claims “Madrid have made an offer of €24m (£20.5m)”, for Alonso. Which is way below “Liverpool’s initial asking price of €40m,” says the story. But manager Rafa Benítez “is now holding out for €30m (£26m) which would most likely rise to €33m with incentives.” However, Perez is unwilling to raise “his offer of €25m.”

Meanwhile the Guardian appears to suggest the move to be less problematic claiming “Xabi Alonso will complete his £28m move to you-know-who on Monday.”However elsewhere, the paper says: “Real Madrid have made an offer of €24m (£20.5m) for Alonso,” and “Benítez is holding out for €30m (£26m) plus incentives which would see the total exceed €33m.” The story also adds: “Pérez, though, has resisted increasing his offer above €25m.”

The Times isn’t so confident. They say: “Liverpool were continuing to play hardball over Xabi Alonso last night as Real Madrid braced themselves for more disappointment despite making an improved £28 million bid for the Spain midfield player.” The story claims Reds boss Rafa Benitez is refusing to budge from his £30m asking price and the 48-hour deadline set for a Real has passed, leaving negotiations at an impasse. “Florentino Pérez, the Real president, is thought to have been irritated at being given an ultimatum by Liverpool,” says the story, as he recently suggested Alonso was overpriced, however “having described the player as “fundamental” to his summer spending plans, it is expected that Pérez will match Benítez's valuation,” claims the article.

The Independent says: “Sources in Spain suggest that Real president Florentino Perez has actually lowered his original offer of £24million because of Alonso's demand to move.” However the paper thinks a deal may be done as early as the end of the weekend, by sayng: “Benitez and Alonso now want a quick solution to the situation, ahead of Liverpool's trip to play Espanyol in their new stadium in Barcelona on Sunday.”

Tonights Echo says: “Liverpool are braced for an improved bid for Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid step up their pursuit of the midfielder.” “Real Madrid must now improve their initial £24million offer” as the Reds are “holding out for a fee of around £30million.”

Sky Sports says: “It is reported that a deal could be struck in the next couple of days for Alonso to join Real for a price in the region of £25million.”

The Express states Benitez will “reluctantly cut the asking price and negotiate in the hope of reaching a compromise at £28m.”

The Mail is running the transfer saga but has added a new twist into the mix with the screaming headline:

“Xabi Alonso twist: Chelsea and Manchester City ready to pounce if Real Madrid stall on meeting Liverpool’s asking price.”

The story says: “both clubs are just £2.5million apart” in their evaluation of the player as they head into the “final stretch of negotiations over Xabi Alonso's move to the Bernabeu.”

The article adds that “talks will take place over the weekend with Monday set as the deadline for a deal to be struck,” however Liverpool are “reluctant to go much under £30m,” suggesting “a compromise figure around £28m could be reached.”

However the story warns that if the deal stalls, he could move to Chelsea or Manchester City, who “both enquired about the Spain midfielder in May, but were told he is not for sale.” The article adds: “Stamford Bridge boss Carlo Ancelotti remains keen if the price is right.”

This implausible added plot line would suggest Alonso simply wants to move away from Liverpool at all costs, but may not care where his destination will be.

The Mirror says Benitez has lowered his asking price from £35m to £30m, but Madrid ar not prepared to pay more then £27m. The article adds that: “the star's agent, Inaki Ibanezis, is in Madrid, ready to begin official talks with Real once he gets the green light.”

The Star says: “Benitez stood firm, maintaining that Real would have to fork up £35m. Real refused to go above £22m. Now a compromise is near at £28m.”

Add into the mix that Tuesday’s Telegraph stated “Madrid are yet to lodge a formal offer.” Presumably if this is true, all these offers, rejections and counter offers have taken place in the past four days.

Most papers appear to agree on one thing however ‘money bags’ Madrid need to offload players before they can spend any more money. Papers are suggesting the Bernabeu club will offload Alvaro Negredo, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Rafael Van der Vaart, Gabriel Heinze and Arjen Robben. A few story’s are speculating some of the above players may be offered to Liverpool in a player plus cash deal.

Even the claim that Alonso handed a transfer request in the first place appears to have sparked claim and counter claim. The Times thickens the plot somewhat by saying:

“Sources at Liverpool said that Alonso submitted a transfer request on Wednesday evening in an effort to hasten a move to Real, but the suggestions were dismissed by Alonso's representatives, who insisted that the player had taken no such action.”

So there you have it. Alonso did or didn’t hand in a transfer request. Real Madrid refuse to bid above £20m or £24m. With Rafa ‘holding out’ for a fee anywhere between £26m-£30m. A comprimise may be struck at £28m. The deadline for the deal has passed and Real Madrid have not made an offer yet!!

One thing is certain, if a deal is struck it will boost Benitez’s transfer budget considerably. The Reds boss has already raised around £8million from the sales of Alvaro Arbeloa, Sebastian Leto, Jack Hobbs and Paul Anderson this summer. The impending sale of Alonso and Andrea Dossena’s expected switch to Napoli could push his transfer kitty beyond the £40million mark.

Benitez will to tell Mascherano he’s staying

Rafa Benitez will tell Javier Mascherano he will not be allowed to leave the Reds when the player returns to pre-season training later this week, reports the Echo.

Mascherano is due to join his team mates at the Switzerland training camp on Thursday after becoming a father for the second time at the weekend. Mascherano’s future has been widely speculated upon in the past weeks with Barcelona publicly acknowledging they want the Argentine midfielder.

The story also claims “the 25-year-old told the Reds boss that his wife was suffering from homesickness.” But “with the likelihood of Xabi Alonso quitting Anfield increasing with every passing day, Benitez would be loathe to lose Mascherano as well and see his entire first choice central midfield wiped out in the space of a few weeks,” says the article.

Benitez has no intention of selling “a player he regards as one of the finest defensive midfielders in world football.”

When Mascherano joins up with his team mates in the coming days “Benitez will take the opportunity to tell the former West Ham man that he won’t be going anywhere because he is needed for Liverpool’s assault on the Premier League title in the coming season.” Benitez is hoping the “lure of possible glory with Liverpool will be enough to convince Mascherano that his future remains at Anfield,” reports the story.

Benitez tells Alonso to make official transfer request

Todays Mail is claiming that Rafa Benitez has told Xabi Alonso that he must make an official transfer request to leave the club.

The article reports Alonso explained his desire to leave the Reds in a phone call to the Anfield manager with Benitez telling the midfielder to “put it in writing,” says the story.

“The Spain midfielder made the call less than 24 hours before he married his long-term girlfriend Nagore Aramburu in his home city of San Sebastian on Saturday,” according to the article. Guests at the wedding included former Liverpool team-mate Luis Garcia and Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta.

However the Reds manager is resolute that Alonso will not go cheaply insisting the Spanish club compensate Liverpool adequately. “Benitez has made it clear that Real must pay the price he puts on his midfielder's head - £35million,” states the story.

The best form of defence is to ‘attack’ declares Benitez

Rafa Benitez has explained his idea for the coming season stating that he wants the team to be more attack minded. The Reds were the inform team for the last third of last season demolishing opponents with goals. Ever the stickler for detail, Rafa believes this area needs improving.

“We want to improve our power in attack, this is our idea,” said Benitez to the Echo.

“There have been games in the past we have played with three centre backs and two offensive full backs, it depends on the game."

“But normally we play with a line of four in defence because this suits the way we play on both occasions."

“We were talking last season about the draws we had at home and when teams play really deep against you, you need quality in the full back and central defensive positions."

“When we talk about Daniel Agger scoring goals and using the ball well it is because we know these qualities are necessary if you want to turn the draws into wins.”

Benitez reveals ‘big offers’ have been made for Torres

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed that Liverpool have had ‘big offers’ for some of their key players including Fernando Torres. Speaking to the Mirror, the Reds manager said:

"We have had some very big offers for some of our key players this summer - and that includes Fernando Torres.”

The article speculates that as many as “FOUR mega-money bids” have been rejected for the Spanish striker, stating: “Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City all made it clear they would pay £60million for Torres.”

But Benitez declared the striking sensation was not for sale and offers would not be listened to, as Torres himself stated he had no intention of leaving:

"Clubs wanted Fernando and we were contacted by agents working for those clubs. But we always knew that when a bid came in we would say 'no.' The main thing was that Torres wanted to stay here. People knew the player wanted to stay, but it did not stop clubs trying.”

"Football has changed and there is big, big money around. But we still have the same idea to keep the spine of the team and work hard for next season. In football and life you cannot guarantee anything, that is a fact.”

"But what I will say is that we wanted to send out a message that Liverpool are a strong team and that we want to improve. You don't improve by selling your best players."

The article says that “Torres' fitness will be monitored throughout the season” and “he has undergone specialist physical conditioning to ensure there is no repeat of the hamstring problems that hit him last season after playing at Euro 2008.”

Speaking about Michael Owen, Rafa suggested that a return for the fallen kop idol would not have worked.

"We had some contact about Owen and we were analysing the situation. But we have a World Cup coming up and the top players want to play every week. It would have been hard for Owen to play every week at Liverpool.”

Rafa delighted with new Gerrard contract

Rafa Benitez is thrilled that Steven Gerrard has signed his new contract after returning to training on Wednesday. The Liverpool captain agreed a deal back in April which will keep him at Anfield until at least 2013 and formally signed it this week.

Benitez speaking to the official site said: "We have spent this summer trying to secure the players we have. It's really good to keep Kuyt, Torres, Agger, Benayoun and Steven. They are the here and now of the club and for the future it is really good. We are really pleased."

"We have a lot of good players who want to stay, to win and compete. The message has to be the same again this year - to be there, to be contenders and to fight. If we can win trophies it would be fantastic."

Benayoun agrees new deal at Anfield

Yossi Benayoun has committed his future to the Reds after agreeing terms on a new Anfield contract reports the Echo.

Benayoun had two years remaining on his current deal but Rafa Benitez was eager to reward the Israeli international with a contract extension after his best campaign yet in a Liverpool shirt last season.

“Talks have now been concluded successfully and Benayoun is set to sign a one-year extension which will see him remain with Liverpool until 2012,” says the story.

Benayoun is the latest player to commit their futures to the club, with Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt all agreeing deals at the end of last season. Benitez said: “We had to guarantee the future of the club first and then afterwards if you can improve then you must try to do so.

“This meant that the first thing we had to do this summer was to guarantee the futures of some of the players who are already here and we are happy that we have been able to do this in so many cases.”

Benitez has been dividing his time today between Liverpool’s academy in Kirkby and Melwood as the preparations for the coming season begins. “The majority of the first team squad returned to Melwood yesterday for a series of drills and tests ahead of pre-season trips to Switzerland, the Far East, Spain and Norway,” reports the Echo, whilst “Glen Johnson will join up with his new team mates for the first time on Wednesday.”

The defender along with captain Steven Gerrard have been given an extra few days off following international duty with England at the end of last season.

The Spanish players do not return until July 19 after their involvement in the Confederations Cup.

“Benitez was at the Academy to welcome the club’s latest batch of youngsters and also to meet with Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish on his first official day since rejoining the Reds,” reports the story.

Meanwhile, as reported on this site yesterday, the club has officially confirmed today that Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby have agreed new deals to stay at Anfield.

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.”

Rafa declares 'This is the beginning of something important'

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has praised the quality of the team, declaring they are closing in on United and ‘can beat anyone’. The Reds made vast improvements last season and accumulated their best ever points tally in the Premiership. "If you analyse the number of points, 86, you see it's a record for the club in the Premier League," Benitez told the official web site.

"We are going forward, we are progressing. For the future this is good news and hopefully this is the beginning of something important.

"In terms of the consistency of the team we've been really good. The squad is better, the mentality is very good and the players are competing for their positions."

Speaking about twice beating United last season, including the devastating 1-4 thrashing at Old Trafford, Benitez said: "We won against them twice this year. We've shown we can beat anyone. Clearly we have enough quality in the team. The squad is good but against us United had Giggs, Scholes and Berbatov on the bench.”

"Each year is different but we are closer, we have more confidence, and the experience of this year will be good for next season. You never know but it seems like we are reducing the gap."

Rafa’s backroom staff played an imperative role last season and Benitez thinks their winning spirit will benefit the team: "Mauricio has shown he is a great coach," added Benitez. "He is someone with passion who knows the game. But he has the same problem as Sammy Lee - he has to improve his English!

"It's very good for us to have people like Sammy and Mauricio because they've both won trophies. They both know what it means to fight in the top leagues. They know what it means to make finals.

"The experience they have is really good for the players."

Babel’s agent insists player won't leave Liverpool

Transfer Speculation

Today’s Independent is running the story that “Ryan Babel will not leave Liverpool this summer”. Babel’s agent Winnie Haatrecht, insists "He is not done here yet," Haatrecht told AD Sportwereld. "I will sit down soon with Mr Benitez to evaluate the season. We haven't found time to do that yet. "Ryan went from Ajax to Liverpool to win trophies. So far that hasn't happened. Ryan wants to leave Liverpool as a regular starter with a trophy in his pocket." The 22-year-old made six starts all season and was a substitute 21 times.

More coaching shake-up's brings Dalglish return closer

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is continuing his summer shake up of the academy with the departure of four of his coaches reports the Mail. “Gary Ablett is being replaced as reserve team manager after three years, another former player, Hugh McAuley, who guided the under 18s to the FA Youth Cup Final is also departing. Youth coaches Dave Lever and Dave Shannon are also leaving. Frank McParland will return to oversee the backroom set-up and former Barcelona and Olympiakos coach Jose Segura is taking over as Academy Director.” The wholesale changes appear to pave the way for Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish to return to the club as an “advisor or ambassador” claims the article. The story also states that “popular former midfielder Gary McAllister is also being linked with a coaching role.”

Ryan Babel is told he can leave Anfield

Today’s Daily Post is stating that “Ryan Babel could become the first high-profile casualty of Rafael Benitez’s summer shake-up after being told he can leave Liverpool.”

The article goes on to say: “Babel’s agent Winnie Haatrecht met with the Anfield manager to discuss the player having a more prominent first-team role next season. Benitez, though, was unable to offer such guarantees and has informed the Holland international he may now speak to other clubs during the transfer window. That is likely to spark a chase for Babel, who became the third-most expensive player in Liverpool’s history when arriving for £11.5million from Ajax in July 2007. Liverpool will want to recoup of much as that fee as possible, with Babel likely to command a price tag of around £8m.”

The article adds: “Ajax, who yesterday appointed Martin Jol as new coach to succeed Marco van Basten, are thought eager to re-sign Babel but could be put off by the asking price and the player’s wages. Babel is also certain to attract interest from Italy and Spain, with Benitez open to the possibility of using the 22-year-old as a makeweight to facilitate a possible big-money transfer. Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Arsenal have all been linked with a summer move for Babel and could make any interest formal.”

Clearly Benitez means business and wants his summer transfer activity completed as quickly as possible. The story states “Babel has scored 14 goals in 91 appearances for Liverpool. However, only 42 have been in a starting role – a mere six coming this calendar year – with the Dutchman having completed the full 90 minutes on just 15 occasions. With Benitez needing to generate funds to supplement his existing transfer budget, the Spaniard is keen to swiftly move on those players who no longer form part of his plans.”

Unfortunately Babel, who initially showed much promise in his first season, has been one of the most disappointing in this campaign. He has appeared lazy and uninterested. One could argue he needed more regular starts, but this hasn’t undeterred other players who where in the same position as him. Yossi Benayoun fought his way into the starting eleven after a disappointing start to the season and finished the campaign in sizzling form, terrorising defences and scoring valuable goals. It is clear that Babel has lost his confidence at Liverpool and a recuperation of his massive fee would probably be best for both parties. One fears however, Babel could recapture his potential at another team and turn into the player we all thought he could become with Liverpool.

Speaking about the ongoing dilemma with Sebastian Leto, the article says: “Benitez also wants to solve the work permit problem for Argentine winger Sebastian Leto, who has spent the last season on loan to Greek club Olympiacos. “We will try to work something out, I do not want him to go,” said the Liverpool manager. The reasons for refusing the permit were his lack of international and club experience. Benitez was critical of that decision, but is likely to sell Leto if the permit is refused once again.”

Rafa wants his transfers as soon as possible

Transfer Speculation

Rafa Benitez wants Liverpool’s summer transfer activity to be done and dusted by the time pre-season gets under way says the Echo. “The Reds boss is keen to conclude his business at the earliest possible opportunity in what is expected to be another busy summer at Anfield. Benitez will need to supplement his existing transfer budget with the proceeds from player sales and he is looking to start work on overhauling his squad immediately. But he concedes it won’t be easy to make improvements to what he regards as a high quality squad.”

The article quotes Rafa as saying: “Clearly we want to sign players but we know that it will be difficult to find players who are better than what we already have. It is not easy to find this kind of player in the current market and if we do then maybe they will be too expensive or not available. But we have to sign the right players and make the right decisions during the summer. We have some targets but right now it is too soon because some clubs do not know what the future holds for them but we will wait and see. But our idea is to have players signed before pre-season begins because this would be perfect. It means you can start working with them and training with them with the ideas that you want to get across to them so that they can start putting them into practice on the pitch.”

The article also goes on to say “Gareth Barry remains Benitez’s major target and with Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill admitting he will not stand in the England man’s way should a top four club make an acceptable offer for him Liverpool’s move for the 28-year-old is likely to come sooner rather than later. O’Neill is reported to be ready to offer Barry a lucrative new deal in a bid to keep his captain at Villa Park but with the midfielder keen to play Champions League football such overtures are likely to fall on deaf ears.”

Also mentioned in the piece is Madrid’s pursuit of Alonso. It may be a concern that the Echo is taking this rumour seriously, as they often report accurate information. The article states: “the likelihood of Real Madrid making an offer for Xabi Alonso has increased after one of Florentino Perez’s main rivals to become president of the Spanish giants pulled out of the race. Perez has made little secret of his desire to sign Alonso should he become president and Liverpool are now braced for a bid from Real.”

Rafa hails 'close to perfect' Sammy Lee

Rafael Benitez saluted his number two today by calling him “close to perfect”. Speaking to the official site Rafa said “Sammy is someone every player respects. He is very positive and is always pushing. He is a great motivator, so it was a very good addition."

"He is a person who knows the club and he's doing a really good job."

"I don't know any manager who is the perfect manager, so no number two can be perfect. But if you ask me if he is close to being the perfect number two then I think he is.”

Sammy Lee returned to Liverpool last May as assistant coach after a brief spell managing Bolton. One of the less publicised changes Benitez and Lee have introduced has been decorating Melwood and the Anfield tunnel with images of the club's all-time greats, as well as inspirational quotes from the likes of Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona.

Gerrard out of Hull match

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that Steven Gerrard will miss today’s premiership clash with Hull. Gerrard has been suffering with an adductor strain has missed the past 3 matches through the injury but is expected to return in time for the clash with Newcastle at Anfield next Sunday. The team has been playing some awesome football of late and should not miss the influential captain.

'Big' Sam shrinks to new depths

In the story that won’t die, Sam Allardyce clearly still annoyed over the 4 nil drumming Liverpool dished out to his Blackburn Rovers, has continued his war of words with LFC. Commenting on the innocent hand gestures that clearly hide Allardyce’s loathing for Benitez, ‘big’ Sam stated that “there was no need for Sammy to get involved. It wasn't a situation I was going to get him involved in. It was a situation that was between me and Rafa Benitez. If anyone should have spoken, it should have been Rafa Benitez and not Sammy Lee."

Clearly the irony of this statement has completely been lost on Allardyce, when he employed the services of Fergie to fight his fight for him last week. ‘Big’ Sam appears to be shrinking in importance with each passing day.