GWistooshort

July 15 v FC St Gallen AFG Arena, St Gallen Kick-off 8pm 19 v Rapid Vienna Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna Kick-off 7.15pm 22 v Thailand National Stadium, Bangkok Kick-off 8pm 26 v Singapore National Stadium, Singapore Kick-off 8pm August 2 v Espanyol Cornella-El Prat Stadium, Barcelona Kick-off time to be confirmed 5 v FC Lyn Oslo Kick-off 7pm A further game at Anfield could also be added to this schedule. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090506-1316.htm

For those who can't get to the match (& obviously we should go if we can given the good cause) the match is live on ITV4 - the programme starts at 7pm with kick off at 7.45pm

My feeling is that Riera's dips in form have largely been due to him struggling to adjust to playing so many games almost all at a high level of intensity, which is different to what he will have experienced in Spain or when he was at Man City - if this is correct, there is the potential for him to be more consistent next year I think Babel's more likely to leave than Riera as he's gone backwards this year IMO, but is still young enough & has enough potential that we should get a fairly good fee for him. Personally I would sell Babel & keep Riera & look for a replacement for Babel who would be 1st choice on the left with Riera as back up. I wouldn't even contemplate buyng Downing because I don't think he has the mentality to be a success at Liverpool. I think Middlesborough is about his level, in the same way that Spurs is Robbie Keane's level, as we found out to our cost.

James Tucker in the Times this morning says David Silva is Rafa's main target http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6229737.ece

I hope not, don't rate him at all Not the quality of player we need IMO & well overpriced at what Bolton paid for him

From Sky Sports............ Pranjic quiet on Reds rumours Croatian linked with Liverpool switch Last updated: 5th May 2009 Croatian star Danijel Pranjic is coy on rumours linking him with a move to Liverpool. The Heerenveen left-sider has had an excellent season for the Frisians claiming 16 goals this term. Pranjic, 27, can play anywhere down the left flank, and mainly plays on the wing for his club - although for Croatia he is more often found at full-back. His agent Soren Lerby has claimed that there is a great deal of interest in his client, including from Liverpool, Real Betis and Sevilla. "I can confirm that several English and Spanish clubs are looking at Pranjic," Lerby told Sportske Novosti. "Liverpool has already demonstrated an interest and Betis and Sevilla monitor him." Flattered Pranjic himself has admitted that he is flattered by prospective interest from Anfield, and admits he does not know where his future lies. "I still don't know, that is a difficult question to answer," Pranjic told Omroep Friesland. "I have to wait until the transfer period and then I will see. "In every newspaper they called me and I was live on television and they heard something about Liverpool but I cannot say anything about it. "It was in the newspaper that is all I know. Yes of course [it would be a dream club]." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5283752,00.html

Rather bizarre story in the Guardian this morning saying Man Utd have bid £62.5m for Ribery http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ma...istiano-ronaldo

Nice tribute from Rafa.............. RAFA: WE WANTED SAMI TO STAY James Carroll 05 May 2009 Rafa Benitez today hailed Sami Hyypia as the "perfect professional" and revealed he was keen to retain the services of the defender in a coaching capacity. The Finn will bring his 10-year association with the Reds to an end in the summer after it was announced on Monday he has agreed to join German club Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal when his contract expires. Benitez has confirmed he offered Hyypia the opportunity to stay on at Anfield for a further season as well as the chance to take up a role with the coaching staff in the future. "We are disappointed because we will miss Sami," said the Reds boss. "He is so important that we talked about him becoming a member of the coaching staff in the future, but he thinks he can play more and wants to be involved in the first team. "The fact that we were talking to him about becoming a coach shows how much we think of him – he is a perfect professional. "We were talking to him about an extension to his contract and the guarantee of becoming a member of the coaching staff. That shows we were really pleased with him and how good he is as a professional." Although disappointed to see the legendary centre-back leave, Benitez has wished him all the best for the future and confirmed the door will always be open for Hyypia to make a return to Liverpool. "In every single training session and in every single game he gives 100 per cent for the team and he has been a fantastic servant to this club," added Benitez. "He is always keen to help the youngsters and he sets them a really good example but he has also been very supportive of me and my staff since I first came to Liverpool. "From my point of view, I have been really pleased to work with him and now I must wish him luck for the future. "All the fans and all the staff at the club are sad. We were trying to keep him. "With three other centre backs at Liverpool it was going to be difficult for Sami to play as often as he would like so he has decided to go to Leverkusen and, like I said, we are happy for him. "We are really happy for him because he can play two more years to his maximum with a good team in a good league. So we must be pleased for him. "It is sad, but it is his decision and we will support him." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090505-1210.htm

Possible replacement for Sami? United head the queue for France U21 starlet Sakho By Sportsmail Reporter 5th May 2009 Manchester United have leapt to the head of the queue for Paris St Germain’s defensive prodigy Mamadou Sakho. The France Under 21 international, who became PSG’s youngest captain aged 17, is rated at £12m after an outstanding season. Now 19, Paris-born Sakho is also wanted by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, while Newcastle failed with a bid during the January transfer window. But Sir Alex Ferguson has had the 6ft 1in centre back watched twice in the past three weeks. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...rlet-Sakho.html

From the Rumour Mill in the Liverpool Daily Post................ Benfica target Anfield swoop Benfica hope to take Diego Cavalieri from Liverpool Football Club in the summer. The Brazilian goalkeeper is highly rated by Rafael Benitez, who paid £3million to take him to Anfield from Palmeiras just last summer as back-up for Jose Pepe Reina. Cavalieri has made four appearances for the Reds, including one in the UEFA Champions League, but he could get more action in Portugal if Benfica succeed with a summer bid for his services. “(Cluj midfielder) Alvaro Pereira and Diego Cavalieri are players we are looking at to see whether they are right for Benfica,” said coach Quique Sanchez Flores. “We are taking a slow and cautious approach.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-23538141/4/ Liverpool do battle with Spurs for Southampton's Lallana Liverpool are eyeing Southampton youngster Adam Lallana. The midfielder is regarded by many as Saints' best young prospect and is expected to be sold after their relegation to League One. Liverpool and Tottenham lead the race for Lallana. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-23538141/5/

Also, the piece was written by Alan Nixon

SAMI HYYPIA: WHY I'M LEAVING LIVERPOOL Paul Eaton 05 May 2009 Sami Hyypia today spoke exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv about the reasons behind his decision to bring a glittering ten-year Anfield career to an end. First of all Sami, there are many fans all over the world saddened at the news that you're leaving Liverpool. Why have you decided to move to Bayer Leverkusen? The main reason is I still think I'm young enough to play football and I know chances to play here would be limited. I spoke to the manager and I didn't want him to make promises about how many games I would play, but this season has been mentally very difficult. I haven't played a lot and playing is what I enjoy most. I understand it isn't possible to play enough games here for me to be happy, so I had to look elsewhere. I got the option to go abroad to Bayer Leverkusen. The whole package was good, they have big plans for me and hopefully I can go there and help them to be successful. Even taking into account your reasons for leaving, was it still a difficult decision to make? It was very difficult because from day one I have felt at home here. I have had good relationships with the club, with the staff and all the players who have been here over the last ten years. It's difficult to leave but my reasons are all professional. I still want to play football. Ten years is a long time to spend at one club. My family are settled here and I know it will be stressful moving with them into a new house in a new country. But the professional side drove this decision. It's a new challenge and I will give it everything to be successful in Germany. What did the manager say in your discussions with him? He wished me good luck. We had a number of discussions and the possibility of a coaching role was mentioned, but I don't feel ready for that yet. I feel I still have a few more years in my legs to play football. You've been here for a decade and so will leave with a lot of great memories from your time at the club... Yes, we have had a lot of ups and downs during my time here but I have so many great memories and Liverpool will be my English club for ever. What has been the highlight from your time at the club? Obviously the Champions League victory was amazing. To be 3-0 down and still go on and win is something we'll never forget. On a more personal level my first game at Sheffield Wednesday, my first match at Anfield and my first goal for Liverpool are moments I will never forget. How much will you miss the Liverpool fans, with whom you've had a great relationship over the years? Obviously I'll miss them a lot and I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to them all. They still sing my name when I'm warming up or playing and that's always good to hear. It's sad to be leaving, but I'll be back one day to watch some games and maybe see them all again. How much are you hoping for a chance to say goodbye to them on the last day of the season against Tottenham? That's a decision for the manager to make. Even if I'm not involved in the game I will find a way to get onto the pitch at the end. If the Stadium Manager tries to stop me I'll run past him [laughs]. I am sure I will have an opportunity to say goodbye. You mentioned you don't yet feel ready to be a coach - but is that a dream for the future and could we see you back at Liverpool in that capacity one day? Yes, hopefully. Coaching is something which has always been in my mind, but I have to take my badges first. At the end of my playing career I will look to take the badges and then see. I would like to come back here one day as a coach. This club will always be in your heart, won't it? Yes, always. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090505-1143.htm

463 appearances & only 27 bookings & 1 sending-off - superb record Very sad to see him go

No surprise............. RAFA BENITEZ WIELDS AXE Youth team boss Piet Hamberg told to leave Liverpool By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 02/05/2009 RAFA BENITEZ has told Liverpool's academy director Piet Hamberg to quit before this month's FA Youth Cup final. The Kop boss is launching a ruthless cull of the lower ranks at Anfield and has already warned Hamberg he has no future at the club. Hamberg, who replaced Steve Heighway in 2007, is now negotiating a pay-off and could be gone by the end of this week. Benitez has lined up former Liverpool chief scout and ex-Bolton general manager Frank McParland as Hamberg's replacement. It has been a turbulent time at Liverpool's academy despite the kids reaching the FA Youth Cup final for the third time in four seasons. Benitez demanded full control of youth affairs under the terms of his new contract. And the Spaniard will oversee wholesale changes this summer. Dutchman Hamberg gained his football knowledge in a playing career that included a spell at Ajax in the 1980s. Liverpool play Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup final over two legs on May 22 and 25. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/2873...d-to-leave.html

STEWART DOWNING WAITS ON KOP Middlesbrough winger hoping for £12million Liverpool move By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 02/05/2009 STEWART DOWNING will hold out for a £12million summer move to Liverpool before deciding his future. Middlesbrough winger Downing, 24, is back on Rafa Benitez's list of targets as the Kop boss was turned down in his first bid to sign Valencia's David Silva. Silva remains Benitez's first choice but he also needs to add more English blood to his squad. Gareth Barry's arrival from Aston Villa looks a formality but Benitez needs more homegrown players to fill UEFA quotas. That spells bad news for left-winger Albert Riera, who may find himself sacrificed after one year in England. Riera, 27, who signed from Espanyol last season for £8m, has been a good addition for the Reds - but unspectacular. Liverpool could sell him back to La Liga for a similar fee to raise funds. As revealed by Sport of the World last month, Downing has been assured he can leave the Riverside if Boro go down. He was the subject of a bid from Tottenham in January but his preferred destination is Liverpool. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/2881...rpool-move.html

Benitez has slammed the door shut on an emotional return for Michael Owen. The Newcastle hitman is likely to sink to an all-time low today with Toon boss Alan Shearer expected to leave him out of the line-up for the clash with the Reds. It's a move that will convince Owen he needs to find a new club to relaunch his career when his £110,000-a-week contract expires in the summer. And with Benitez once taking back another fallen Kop hero in Robbie Fowler, Owen's fans hoped a repeat could be on the cards. But the manager, who sold Owen to Real Madrid for £8m in 2004, said: "It is a different situation between Michael and Robbie.We were looking for a striker with Robbie's quality to come in and help and he understood his role. "It is different with Michael. He is younger and still has years to play at a good level. He rightly wants to play every game. "But if you talked about who would play as my striker most of the time, I would have to say we are really pleased with Fernando Torres." http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/2878...ican-asset.html

TOM HICKS STARTS SELLING Liverpool chief gets rid of key American asset By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 02/05/2009 LIVERPOOL co-owner Tom Hicks has started to sell his US sporting assets to protect his stake at Anfield. Hicks has sold the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, which he owned for 10 years. The rodeo was worth less than £7million, but the move underlines Hicks' intention to raise funds to meet his massive debts. And he recently stopped making interest payments on a £360m loan related to his Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars sports teams. Alongside George Gillett, he must also renegotiate the £350m loan with Royal Bank of Scotland and US bank Wachovia, which enabled them to buy Liverpool. Gillett is in the process of selling his Montreal Canadians Hockey team. If the pair can't pump in more funds, they are vulnerable to having to sell Liverpool for far less than their excessive £500m valuation. Sport of the World revealed last week how investors from cricket's Indian Premier League are the latest to be courted by Hicks as the chase for cash becomes increasingly desperate. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/2878...ican-asset.html

Daily Express Saturday May 2,2009 LENNON'S RED REVOLUTION By Niall Hickman and Matt Law Manchester United and Liverpool are set for a summer tug of war over £20million-rated Spurs star Aaron Lennon. Liverpool expressed their interest in winger Lennon in January, but United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has now joined in the fray, as he is convinced he will lose both Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez at the end of the season. With Ryan Giggs nearing the end of his glittering career, Ferguson badly needs back-up and Lennon has been told he can make his dream move to Old Trafford this summer. Although Spurs will try desperately hard to keep Lennon, the reality is that the player will get his way and looks set to leave White Hart Lane, just as Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick have done in the past two seasons. Ferguson is aware of Liverpool’s interest, but in a straight fight between the two, Lennon would choose United in order to further his England ambitions and to play under the most decorated manager in the history of the game. Lennon has started to fully deliver on his enormous potential this season and although he has just signed a two-year extension to his contract, meaning his £50,000-a-week deal ends in 2014, the reality is Spurs would be powerless to keep him if Manchester United or Liverpool can reach their £20m valuation. Leeds-born Lennon, 22, was snapped up from his home-town team by Spurs five years ago for just £1m and since then he has won 11 full England caps. He has electrified the Premier League with his pace and, although Lennon is still very much a rough diamond as his crossing and finishing ability is at best modest, Ferguson believes he has the makings of another Ryan Giggs. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy moved heaven and earth to try to keep Berbatov away from Ferguson’s clutches last summer, but eventually a £30m deal between the clubs was agreed. Levy will be similarly intransigent with Lennon but, again, the player will move if Spurs’ valuation is reached. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp wants to spend heavily this summer and, although in an ideal world he would not want Lennon to leave, the cash would be used for team strengthening with £15m-rated Boro winger Stewart Downing a target. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/98473/...-red-revolution

Some transfer snippets from the Independent this morning...... "Benitez – who contrary to some reports has not inquired after Marseilles captain Lorik Cana Benitez continues to provide the impression that he has a single big-name target on his mind for the summer and, intriguingly, he suggested yesterday that Gerrard may, if necessary, have to revert to a deeper midfield role to make way for any offensive midfielder – Valencia's David Silva is one he admires – who is signed to partner Torres. "Stevie can play also as a midfielder," Benitez said. "It depends on the quality and the level of the players who can manage with different systems. With him you know he can play on the right, in the middle as a second striker or on the left. It's not a big difference because he is a clever player and has his quality. You have to use his quality, in whichever position." That is what Benitez said when Robbie Keane arrived, so it may be a difficult juggling act. Benitez is hopeful of keeping his reserve keeper, Brazilian Diego Cavalieri, despite several bids." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ty-1677567.html

O'Neill confirms he will let Barry leave......... O'Neill opens door for Barry Villa boss would not stand in midfielder's way if he sought exit By James Dall Last updated: 1st May 2009 Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill would not stand in Gareth Barry's way should the midfielder desire a move to a top-four side. After a hugely protracted saga last summer, Barry ultimately remained at Villa Park despite strong interest from Liverpool. It is reported the Reds could make a fresh bid for his services at the end of this season, with Villa all-but out of the running for a UEFA Champions League berth. O'Neill would still prefer to keep the England international in the Midlands, but confirmed on Friday he will allow Barry to leave if he so chooses. The Villa boss said on Sky Sports News: "If he wanted to go this season, having asked previously for the extra year, then I wouldn't begrudge him that opportunity to go if a top-four side has come in. "So from that viewpoint, that is something that has remained pretty constant. "The overriding aspect is of course that we would love him to stay at this football club and I think that would be a great boost if that was the case. "But I have not given it any more consideration." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5263987,00.html

More from Rafa today on Masch & encouragingly on Xabi too.......... Benitez was quizzed by reporters on recent transfer speculation regarding Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, but the manager insisted he is keen to keep hold of his key players this summer. "I was talking with Javier this morning for 15 minutes about the comments in the press," revealed Benitez. "He said, 'I cannot stop top sides asking about me, or talking with my agent.' He is really pleased and happy to be here. He knows he is at a massive club. "He is an idol for the fans and a key player for me so I think everything is okay. "It is the same situation with Xabi - we want to keep the key players. That is something we are very clear on." Asked if he was preparing for any incoming summer transfer activity, Benitez replied: "You have to prepare from the beginning, not just now. "We are working hard and monitoring players, but we will not give any names." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090501-1441.htm

From Sky Sports.................. AZ ace flattered by Prem talk Reds & Gunners linked with former Spurs striker Last updated: 1st May 2009 AZ Alkmaar hit-man Mounir El Hamdaoui is flattered to be linked with a move to Premier League duo Liverpool and Arsenal . Reports have suggested Liverpool and Arsenal are tracking the former Tottenham man after an impressive season for Dutch champions AZ. The 24-year-old is the top scorer in the Eredivisie and he has played an instrumental role in AZ's championship success this season. His performances have not gone unnoticed across Europe with Liverpool and Arsenal both believed to have had El Hamdaoui watched this season. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is believed to be in the market for a new striker in the summer to help ease the burden on Fernando Torres, while Arsenal are also thought to be keen on bolstering their attacking options. El Hamdaoui's agent Ron Ravel admits the Moroccan international is flattered by the speculation, but insists he has not had any contact with either club. "I am aware of the rumours about Liverpool and Arsenal, but I have not heard anything," Ravel told skysports.com. "Mounir is flattered to be linked with both Arsenal and Liverpool. "It is interesting for any player to be linked with two such big clubs. "Mounir has had a very good season and I believe there is also interest from Spain. "He is under contract at AZ until 2012 and he is happy there with the club playing in the Champions League next season." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5263509,00.html

Rafa today on Mascherano's comments Benitez also brushed off speculation in this morning's newspapers linking Javier Mascherano with a move away from the club. "I was talking with Javier earlier and everything is okay," he added. "He is really pleased here because he knows the fans love him. He can't avoid big clubs asking about him because he is a top class player, but he is very happy here." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090501-1330.htm

Excellent news

Yes - from memory I think he said it was closer