GWistooshort

Agree with the others that Cisse's purchase shouldn't be counted in Rafa's net spend - Cisse was identified long before Rafa took charge & the deal was agreed before Rafa started. However, the fee from his sale should be counted because it was Rafa who sold him. Rafa himself said a couple of months ago that Torres cost £20m http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...00252-24788745/ Spurs' recently released financials say they received £17.5m for Keane from us, but don't say how much they paid for him when they re-signed him http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/uploads/as...sults_nov09.pdf (p6)

ANDREY ARSHAVIN has hailed the best supporters in the world – but they are not at the Emirates. The Arsenal player said Russian fans should learn how to support their team better by taking lessons from Liverpool’s supporters. Before Russia’s 2-1 win over Slovenia in a World Cup play off on Saturday, he said: “Our fans need to learn from the English football supporters, and in particular from Liverpool fans.” Told that Chelsea star Yuri Zhirkov was awe-struck about the support Manchester United fans gave their team against CSKA Moscow in the recent Champion’s League clash, he said: “It’s only because he hasn’t played against Liverpool yet.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...00252-25186914/

The Daily Mail is running exactly the same story except for Fabregas not Mascherano

TOTTI EXCLUSIVE: AQUILANI CAN BE WORLD'S BEST Paul Hassall 17 November 2009 In an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv, Roma captain Francesco Totti tells us why his former teammate, Alberto Aquilani, is destined to be one of the best midfielders in the world. I Giallorossi's talisman came through the same youth system as the Reds' new number 4 and is as well placed as anyone when it comes to knowing what makes the 25-year-old tick. Here he tells us - via Luca Fallica of RETE Sport - why he is convinced Aquilani will be an Anfield hit, how Kopites will soon be swooning over the 'rabona' and why he is certain to be a Barclays Premier League star. Liverpoolfc.tv: Liverpool fans have only seen glimpses of Alberto Aquilani so far. What can we expect from a player you have played so closely with? Francesco Totti: Alberto is an incredibly talented player, with great technique and an excellent understanding of the game. He also has a powerful shot with both feet – he really is a complete midfielder. He came through the Roma ranks like you did. Are you good friends? Yes, we are really good friends. We keep in touch even now that he has left us. How do you see him fitting into the Liverpool system? Alberto can play in any position in the middle of the park really, either a bit forward or a few steps behind. The advantage he has is that he really understands the game and has great vision - he is dynamic and can make the last pass or try to score himself. Here at Roma, with our 4-2-3-1 strategy, he was playing in front of the defence next to Daniele De Rossi or David Pizarro, but also as an attacking midfielder just off me. I think he can do very well in a 4-4-2 too. How would you describe him as a player. Is he up there with the best midfielders in the world? He is elegant and smart - these are his main characteristics. Potentially he is one of the best in the world. He has been unlucky with injuries so far but I believe he will do really well in England. Have you spoken to him much since he moved to Merseyside? Yes, of course. I asked him how it was going and he said he had settled in really well. He can't wait to start playing regularly. Has he said anything about learning Scouse? He didn't mention that really, I am sure his Roman - our dialect - is still much better! (laughs). But I know he is studying a lot to improve his English. Aquilani has had his troubles with injuries in the past. Do you expect him to put those behind him and play a key role in Liverpool's quest for honours this year? As I mentioned before, he hasn't been lucky in his career since all these injuries have stopped his growth. I am confident though, that he will be back at his best and prove all his worth at Liverpool. What is your favourite memory of Alberto's career at Roma? What would you say was his best match? Whenever Alberto had a chance to play for us he would take it and has always done well in big games. I remember the one in Madrid against Real, it was a memorable night. He hit the woodwork with a thunderous effort and 15 seconds later, Casillas deflected another one of his screamers. But that's not the only great display. Against AC Milan he did a delicious 'rabona' (his favourite move) and gave me the ball for our 2-1 win - look it up on the net! Reds fans will surely appreciate his dribbles and will discover what a great player he is. Do you expect him to make a big impact in the Barclays Premier League? How will he adapt to the pace here? Good players prove themselves wherever they go. Alberto will adapt to any type of football. Will he be a key player for Italy in the World Cup? I really hope he will be and I wish him good luck for that. You have played at Anfield before. Did you speak with him about the great atmosphere? Anfield is a great stadium; really exciting. Your fans are really warm. Even Riise told me about it and he said our supporters and yours are alike. How has former red John Arne Riise settled into life in Rome? Really well, the fans love him. He is a professional and his shot is so powerful. It's not easy to adapt to Italian football, but he tried his hardest and did it. What are your own personal memories of facing Liverpool in the Champions League and what did you make of the fans and the stadium's atmosphere? To be honest, my memories are not that good because Liverpool beat us in the 1984 Final and here in Rome many resent them for that. I also remember the game in 2002. The refereeing was quite controversial and Litmanen scored a very, very dubious penalty. Riise played a good game that night. Riise was also involved on another famous night against Italian opposition - the 2005 Champions League final. What did you make of that game? I was sad for Milan, but for a fan winning the Cup in that way must be incredible. Liverpool face a potential Matchday 6 winner-takes-all showdown with Fiorentina in the Champions League (if results go their way on Matchday 5). Who do you expect to qualify? The Viola are clearly favourites and Liverpool are going to have a really tough time especially after drawing against Lyon. The Reds' hopes could well rest with the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, who have both recently been short-listed for the Ballon d'or. What are your views on the two players? I can only think about an Italian adjective to describe them both: grandissimi! As a striker yourself, where does Torres rank among the best in the world? Torres is absolutely one of the best in the world. He is so fast and sees the net like no other – a great striker indeed. I had a look at his Premier League scoring record - not bad at all! Andrea Dossena is another Italian international on our books. What have you made of his impact in England? Last year he scored famous goals against Real Madrid and Man United... He is a decent full-back, who can do well both attacking and defending. And finally, we know you are Roman born and breed but would you have liked to give it a go over here in England? Staying at Roma was my personal choice, one I took with my heart. I grew up playing for this club, the one I always supported. So thanks, but I am good here. Liverpoolfc.tv would like to thank Serafino Ingardia for his help arranging and translating the interview http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...091117-0847.htm

Liverpool Echo Nov 17 2009 Liverpool FC's Steven Gerrard raring to go ahead of Man City clash Dominic King STEVEN GERRARD today gave Liverpool a major boost as the skipper revealed he is ready to relaunch his season against Manchester City. The Reds’ talisman has been limited to just 70 minutes on the pitch since he injured his groin during England’s 1-0 defeat in Ukraine on October 10. Rafa Benitez raised the suggestion last month surgery might be required to solve the problem but, fortunately for Gerrard and his manager, that option has been avoided. He has responded to treatment at Melwood since being pressed into emergency action against Birmingham last Monday and Gerrard – who scored a crucial penalty in that 2-2 draw – is now ready to step up another level this weekend. “I felt very tired after the game, as I wasn’t really ready to return (against Birmingham) and I’d done very little training in the three weeks beforehand,” said Gerrard. “It took me two or three days to recover from that game but I have spent the past week doing strengthening work but I’m feeling a lot better now. I’m looking forward to the weekend. There’s no mental hurdle to cross. “I’ve had a problem in my groin that has taken a while to get over but I’m just relieved the second injection seems to have done the trick. “It’s a case of so far so good and the aim now is to make sure I get a good week’s training under my belt so I’m ready for the game with City.” While the problem in his groin has caused him discomfort, the situation during the past month has been exacerbated by Liverpool’s indifferent run of form. It has been a huge frustration to Gerrard that he has been unable to help the Reds in their hour of need but his imminent return to action could not be more timely. Apart from facing City on Saturday, the Reds have a must win Champions League trip to Debreceni on the horizon along with a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on November 29. First up, though, Gerrard wants to get the weekend out of the way and improve his physical condition for the important weeks ahead. “Some of the lowest points in my career have come about when I have had to miss big games for Liverpool and England through injury,” Gerrard admitted. “It’s never easy when you have to sit out games against Manchester United or trips away from home in the Champions League. “If the lads are winning games and doing well, it makes the pain a bit easier so obviously the last couple of weeks have been extra frustrating.” “But I’m feeling good now, a lot stronger than before and it’s just a question of getting my match sharpness back now. That is the most important thing.” http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-25184755/

The Times November 17, 2009 Sir Alex Ferguson is finally forced to face facts ten months after Rafael Benitez attack Tony Evans One of the stunning moments of last season came in January when Rafael Benítez launched his attack on Sir Alex Ferguson. Liverpool needed to win away to Stoke City to go top of the Barclays Premier League and before the game Benítez produced a list of things that irritated him about the Manchester United manager’s actions, focusing on the Scot’s complaints about fixtures and his perceived bullying of referees. It became known as “Rafa’s Rant”, despite the calmness of delivery and considered preparation. Liverpool drew with Stoke and it was widely considered to be a failed attempt to take on Ferguson in mind games. Fast forward ten months and Ferguson appears to be on the retreat in his battle with referees, and the FA has handed the United manager an unprecedented touchline ban after his post-match complaints about Alan Wiley’s fitness. Does Benítez allow himself a wry smile of satisfaction? “No,” he said. “I thought it was the best way to put things across and that people would see something that everybody knew and maybe no one could say. I said it. I was talking about facts. “Now the situation is different, but you still see things that you could say . . .” He stops, laughs and changes tack. “It’s better to leave it and focus on my team and try to improve our performance. That’s the best way to help my team.” Like Ferguson, Benítez has strong views on referees. “I’ve supported them,” he said. “It is really difficult to be a referee, so I have to support them.” How? “With technology and by trying not to create too much controversy after games.” Benítez, of course, was warned by the FA last month for a mild brush with the officials. The Liverpool manager had been asked about Phil Dowd’s performance in the match against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season. His response was to take out his glasses and study them, implying the referee could borrow them. It was a rare blemish on Benítez’s record. “We are managers and you cannot guarantee you will not be in a situation where you have to complain,” he said. What sort of technology would Benítez like to see used? “One thing would be television for disciplinary issues — bad tackles, aggression,” he said. “It would help referees because the players would know they are being watched and be more careful.” One bugbear is the offside rule, which he believes has become too complex and too open to interpretation. “If we do not change this rule, we will have problems every game,” he said. “Before, if a player was offside, everybody knew. Now it depends on position, interfering with play. You could see this with the goal by Chelsea against Manchester United. You can talk about it for a month and still have different opinions. If they don’t change the rule, it will be a mess.” Tony Evans is the author of Far Foreign Land: Pride and Passion the Liverpool Way http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6919459.ece

The Times interview includes a graphic anlysing Rafa's transfer spend, which it has at £80.2m net You can also download it as a pdf http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/pdfs/sport...bankmanager.pdf

The Daily Post this morning says Ngog's suspected broken nose "is unlikely to threaten his involvement for Saturday’s Premier League visit of Manchester City". http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-25184747/2/

The Daily Post this morning says Liverpool "are facing a major battle to keep Javier Mascherano at Anfield beyond the end of the season" with Barcelona "almost certain to return with an offer at the end of the campaign once their presidential elections have been completed". According to the article "sources in Spain" have claimed that "Yaya Toure will be offered as a makeweight should any deal for Mascherano be given the go-ahead" although it also says that Man City are "believed to be close to agreeing a deal with Barcelona for Toure". http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-25184747/

I can't see him staying after Rafa's comments in his interview in the Times this morning http://www.ynwa.tv/forum/index.php?s=&...t&p=2493979

Thanks for posting So it continues - no money invested in the team since Jan 2008 transfer window (beyond what's been raised by sales) - Rafa confirms this will continue, saying he has to sell if he wants to buy - sales of Dossena & Voronin vetoed by Rafa in last transfer window because he couldn't get an assurance that he could re-invest the fees in the squad - now our priority for the next transfer window is to lower the wage bill with none of the transfer fees raised being re-invested in the team according to the Times (not to fill the gaps in our squad that we can all see are there! & puts us in the company of Hull) Where's it going to end? Clearly Rafa will have to sell players he would prefer to keep, & continue to keep inferior players he would prefer to offload & sign players that are far from his first choice. I can't really see Mascherano staying now & think it's quite likely he might go in January. This is scandalous

Dossena has decided he wants to return to Italy according to his agent http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5698909,00.html

The official site's media watch article today is covering a report that Pavlyuchenko's agent is telling the Russian media that the striker could be joining Liverpool. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/mediawatch/drill...091116-1002.htm

Apparently German paper Bild says we are "closely monitoring" Elia & have sent scouts to Hamburg's latest Bundesliga games to watch him http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/mediawatch/drill...091116-1009.htm

Mata's signed a new contract with Valencia http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11837_5692160,00.html

Elia's agent has confirmed our interest according to Sky Sports.......... "There are a few English clubs sniffing around but he has only recently moved to Germany and is happy at Hamburg and playing very well," Elia's agent Klauss Vink told Sport.co.uk. "It is true when he does decide to move he would prefer his next move to be to English football, to a top club. "There is big interest from Liverpool but there are no concrete offers, just rumours." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5699003,00.html

Tony Barratt said recently in the Times that Rafa wanted to sell Dossena (& Voronin) in the summer, but had to veto their sales because he couldn't get assurances that he would be able to reinvest the transfer fees in the squad

Rafa said before the Birmingham match that we offered Aurelio an extension before his recent knee problem, but his agents did not accept it & that further talks are planned. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...252-25110589/2/

Liverpool Echo Nov 16 2009 Liverpool FC don't expect Barcelona Javier Mascherano move By James Pearce LIVERPOOL are not expecting any fresh interest from Barcelona in Javier Mascherano in January. Weekend reports suggested the midfielder’s advisers had already negotiated personal terms with the Catalans in advance of a transfer fee being agreed with the Reds. However, there has been no contact between the clubs since the summer when Barca were informed Mascherano was not for sale. Back then Rafa Benitez insisted even £50million wouldn’t convince him to part company with the Argentina international and the Reds don’t expect the manager’s resolve to be tested when the transfer window reopens. Joan Laporta’s term as Barcelona president ends next June and as the election battle hots up uncertainty reigns at the Nou Camp. Manager Pep Guardiola is a big admirer of Mascherano but his own future is currently up in the air with him refusing to commit to a new contract until he knows who the new president is. Until the presidential issue is settled next year it’s unlikely Barca will make any major additions to their squad. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-25175815/

From today's News of the World................. BENITEZ WANTS TO KEEP AURELIO By Chris Bascombe RAFA BENITEZ wants Fabio Aurelio's future to be resolved before the end of December. The Liverpool full-back is out of contract next summer and will be available to sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs from January 1. The Brazilian, 30, is injury prone but there is no doubting his quality and boss Benitez wants to hand him a two-year deal. Aurelio has just been called up to the Brazil squad and would have been among those facing England in Doha yesterday but for an injury sustained in training. He'll have no shortage of suitors if Liverpool don't move quickly. The Liverpool manager will have to offload players in January to raise more finances, however. To raise funds he hopes to sell Andrea Dossena, Andriy Voronin and Ryan Babel for a combined total of at least £10million. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/foot...IO-AURELIO.html

Sunday Mirror 15/11/09 Liverpool duo heading for exit door as Rafa Benitez bids to raise cash for Hamburg star By Simon Mullock Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hoping to raise £15million from the sale of misfits Andrea Dossena and Ryan Babel – and wants to splash some of the cash on Dutchman Eljero Elia. Roma and Napoli are set to battle it out for the signature of Italian international Dossena when the transfer window opens in January. Liverpool want to recoup most of the £7m they paid Udinese for the 28-year-old just 18 months ago. Benitez will also look to find a buyer for Babel, who has failed to meet expectations since joining the Reds for £12m at the same time. The boss has identified Hamburg striker Elia as the man to ease the goalscoring burden on Fernando Torres. But the German club will want a profit on the £8m they paid FC Twente for the Holland international last summer. Benitez needs to generate funds for new recruits. And Dossena is desperate to leave to safeguard his place in Italy’s World Cup squad. His agent, Roberto La Florio, confirmed that Roma and Napoli have both registered an interest. La Florio said: “Andrea is getting no space at Liverpool and he wants to return to Italy to play more regularly so that he can be a part of the squad for the World Cup.” Babel, 22, scored a sensational Champions League goal for in the 1-1 draw with Lyon this month. But Benitez has run out of patience with him. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liver...icle221669.html

Story in the Sunday Express.................. BARCELONA LURE JAV AND ROBINHO Sunday November 15,2009 By John Richardson UNSETTLED Liverpool star Javier Mascherano has virtually sealed a £30million move to Barcelona. And despite continual denials by Manchester City, he will be joined at the Spanish club by another unhappy South American star, Brazil striker Robinho, for a similar fee. The European champions and Spanish League winners are confident of wrapping up the £60m double deal, if not during the January transfer window then definitely at the end of the season. Sunday Express Sport can reveal that Mascherano’s advisers have agreed the player’s personal terms with Barcelona – which will mean a hefty rise to around £100,000 a week – in advance of a fee being agreed between the two clubs. It will be a devastating blow to Anfield boss Rafa Benitez, who has already lost another crucial midfielder, Xabi Alonso, to Barcelona’s bitter rivals Real Madrid. Mascherano almost joined Barcelona in the summer and was dejected when the high-profi le transfer collapsed. Insiders at Liverpool blame his disappointing early-season form on that dream move falling through. But the Argentina international captain is determined to get his way in the coming months – and Liverpool know that. They will, however, continue to play hard ball with Barcelona over the transfer fee. It’s believed they are demanding £36m, although an eventual compromise deal of around £30m – the same fee that took Alonso to Real Madrid – will end the waiting for a frustrated Mascherano. He would love to leave in January but is more likely to go next summer. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/140479...Jav-and-Robinho

From the Mirror this morning........... There was "resignation within Anfield yesterday" that Torres may possibly miss the Merseyside derby in three weeks' time as well as the matches against Man City & Debrecen. Also "Benitez has become increasingly concerned about the injury woes that have struck his side this season, with the low point coming in Lyon when he travelled without 14 members of his first team squad. He has called summit meetings with the club's medical staff to see if there is anything he can do to reduce the number of injuries. The Spanish coach is concerned that many of his players, such as Torres, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Yossi Benayoun have suffered muscle injuries, and now he will conduct a far-reaching enquiry to see if training or treatment methods are contributing to the problem." http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liver...icle220543.html

West Ham have issued a hands off warning.............. "A spokesman at Upton Park insisted last night that Cole is "not for sale", and added: "We want to keep all our best players and the suggestion that we need to sell because of a financial crisis is not true." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...-Hams-Cole.html

Liverpool Echo Nov 13 2009 Eintracht Frankfurt plot swoop for Andriy Voronin By James Pearce EINTRACHT Frankfurt are plotting a swoop for Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin during the January transfer window. The mid-table Bundesliga outfit have yet to make an official approach but are keen on securing the services of the Ukrainian international. Voronin has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League since he arrived at Anfield on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen in 2007. However, the 30-year-old is highly rated in Germany and scored 11 goals during a successful loan spell at Hertha Berlin last season. Hertha wanted to make the move permanent this summer but a proposed £3million deal with Liverpool fell through. Boss Rafa Benitez’s attacking options are severely limited, but if Eintracht match that fee and the Spaniard is guaranteed he will be able to reinvest the funds he may decide to do business. Voronin has yet to find the net in three starts and nine substitute appearances for the Reds so far this season and young Frenchman David Ngog has leapt above him in the pecking order to be Fernando Torres’ understudy. The Ukrainian, who is under contract until 2011, may also have to move on in search of regular football in order to fulfil his dream of playing in next summer’s World Cup after he was left out of the squad for their play-off with Greece tomorrow. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-25159242/