RafaShanks

I reckon Rafa would spend that on Torres if he was available at that price

The most important question that remains unanswered is Rafa still interested?

The same way that Traore will be a solid left back?

One, two, three and you're under...

f***in typical if you ask me. We've waited 114 years for a Brazilian and we might get two at once

Cool. Saving me skiving off work with a dodgy excuse

This is more believable and credible than the Defoe and Bent rumours

Found the article on a Newsnow link. Normally I don't quote them, but found it so amusing, I thought I'd share it.

606 down again?

From Kraptalk: Liverpool have reached an agreement in principal with Birmingham City for their winger Jermaine Pennant. Although details of the fee remain undisclosed, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is confident that nobody else will come in with a higher offer. The player's agent Sky Andrew has already agreed personal terms with Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry but the deal will not proceed unless Rafa is unsuccessful with other options that he has prioritised. An email received overnight from a source of mine involved in the negotiations, said: "Rafa has Jermaine in the bag but he must decide whether to push ahead with the deal or buy some more time. "The transfer fee that has been brokered is reasonable but the wages are slightly higher than a player of his age would usually command. "Rafa has other options and Sky (agent) is aware of this, which is probably why the wages are more lucrative as Pennant is prepared to wait. "It's an excellent back-up plan that has been thought out by Rafa and put in place by Rick (Parry)."

Joaquin, how comes you not joining us?

This is further proof that the speculation and rumours we've been subjected to over the past few weeks has been utter b******s with regards to strikers coming in. We haven't made any offers for any strikers yet. I'm sure Rafa and Parry are on the case though

I already posted Bascombe's comments in the Defoe thread. Why did you feel you had to start another Defoe thread?

It's called having options I heard Rafa say the other day that next season, he'll switch personell/systems depending on our opponents

Haven't our scouts been keeping a very close eye all season?

Yep. That's cause all the others just want to make a quick buck

Hasn't Rafa given up on his pursuit of Craig?

In todays Echo, Bascombe says Rafa is not 100% convinced about Bent or Defoe although they are under consideration. He says Rafa is trying to secure the targets he is 100% convinced about. Interesting...

Just seen this: 20 May 2006 RAFA TARGETS BARCA'S GIULY By John Cross And David Maddock LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez is chasing Champions League winner Ludovic Giuly, who has hit contract deadlock at Barcelona. Giuly, 29, played in the Champions League Final but has not been a regular in the side and his lack of games cost him a place in the France World Cup squad. The winger (above) wants a two-year extension at the Nou Camp but has only been offered 12 months, which alerted Benitez. Benitez will pay £3m to bring Giuly to the club, which it emerged last night may be close to being taken over by the billionaire Kraft family. The Americans behind the Kraft Foods empire admitted they were on the verge of buying Liverpool earlier in the year, after extensive talks with the Anfield board, have cleared the way for a renewed bid, They own Major League Soccer team New England Revolution and American football side New England Patriots. And speaking last night on a radio show in Boston, Jonathan Kraft discussed talks with an English club earlier this year. Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry visited the US in January to meet the Krafts and it was widely believed he opened talks while there. That was not confirmed at the time, but Kraft, son of company boss Robert - who is worth £4bn - indicated a £200m takeover was near. "We came very close to buying a Premiership team, very close," he said. "We like to acquire. We like to go forward, and are excited by the potential of soccer ownership in Europe. "I have spoken to my dad a lot about it, and we agree we have to be offensive in our ownership mentality." MIKE Langley, the Daily Mirror's former Chief Sports Writer, has died aged 80. His funeral is at All Saints Church, Hertford, on Monday at 2.30pm. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_...-name_page.html Any truth in this?

They are really showing some ambition with that one

My opinion hasn't changed, despite the late flurry of goals. Nice lad, little nuts, but not good enough. I still adamant that Ged will come in for him for a decent amount

What he said. Would be a good signing for Newcastle or Spurs

34 in all comps

All depends on Didi for me. If he's happy with the amount of games he's involved with. I would love to see him finish his career at Anfield. He's been simply colossus. If Rafa brings in another younger central midfielder, he could leave.