GWistooshort

However, the Guardian today says "Benítez also confirmed he will again omit Sami Hyypia from Liverpool's Champions League squad list when it is submitted to Uefa tomorrow. The defender's place will be taken by Philipp Degen." http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ja...itez-liverpool1 Hard to believe given Sami's recent good form & Degen's continual injury problems

From the official site today.......... "Meanwhile, Benitez has a fully fit squad going into the Chelsea clash aside from Philipp Degen, who picked up a knock in Thursday's reserve clash with Man Utd." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090130-1423.htm

Today's Liverpool-related transfer rumours........ Robbie Keane According to the Independent, Spurs “have resigned themselves to not bringing Keane back to the club this month” after being told yesterday that “Liverpool want their £20.3m fee back in full”, which “Spurs are not prepared to pay”. Apparently “a number of different options had been discussed between the clubs, including deals involving Lennon & Jenas & the cancellation of the outstanding £11m balance payable to Spurs on Keane's transfer”, but Spurs were “told yesterday by Liverpool that they want a straight money offer or there will be no deal”. Although Keane’s “relationship with Benitez is fraught” he “is understood to want to try to establish himself at Liverpool” & is “understood to be considering the possibility that Benitez may leave in the summer which would allow him to establish himself under a different manager”. Spurs have also ended their interest in Lyon striker Fred & cannot afford Blackburn’s £22m asking price for Roque Santa Cruz. Rather strangely, given news of Spurs’ interest in Keane has been in the papers for several days now, Sky Sports have only just claimed that “Spurs have made an informal enquiry for Keane” although “no bid has been tabled” according to their sources. Jermaine Jenas The Daily Mail claims Liverpool “expressed an interest [in Jenas]” & “he was offered + cash in a deal for Keane” but the valuations were “miles apart”. Xabi Alonso The Daily Mail says Atletico Madrid are "set to make an offer" for Alonso. Dirk Kuyt The Liverpool Daily Post says Kuyt “has distanced himself from suggestions of a summer move to Juventus”. Kuyt said “I am enormously happy here & I want to continue for as long as possible at Liverpool”, while his agent added “We are in discussions with Liverpool about a contract extension”. Sofiane Feghouli According to Sky Sports Liverpool are one of “a host of clubs…thought to be taking a keen interest” in Grenoble’s 19-year-old midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, with Arsenal, Chelsea & Juventus among the others. Grenoble’s vice-chairman has said Feghouli “wants to stay & play at Grenoble” & it would take an offer of €30m for him to leave during this transfer window. He also said that “may be he [Feghouli] could leave next summer”, with reports suggesting the fee then could be €10m.

Will have an op this week & be out for 6 weeks http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090129-1110.htm

Yes, was originally on 4 March will now be at 8pm on 3 March on Sky Sports The Anfield clash with Sunderland has been brought forward by 24 hours and will now take place on Tuesday March 3, 2009, at 8pm. Also, the match v Man U has been brought forward to 12.45pm on 14 March & our game v Villa has been put back to 4pm on 22 March - both of these are on Sky as well. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs...090127-2223.htm

Only other Liverpool transfer story in the papers this morning says that Real Madrid's presidential candidate Florentino Perez has earmarked Xabi Alonso as one of his transfer targets to present during his election campaign it is written by Alan Nixon tho http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...15875-21079792/

Robbie Keane stuff from today's papers............. The Daily Mail • Robbie Keane's proposed return to Spurs fell through on Monday night because Spurs “flatly refused to include winger Aaron Lennon in any deal” • The “lengthy negotiations were called off, due to Rafa Benitez failing to land the player he asked for in part exchange” • “Lennon was the target for the Liverpool manager, but Tottenham counterpart Harry Redknapp refused to sanction the winger's departure, much as he wanted Keane to help spearhead his side's fight to steer clear of relegation” • “Keane's Liverpool future remains in doubt, but it now seems unlikely agreement could be reached with Tottenham before the January window shuts” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...urn-mooted.html The Independent • “Harry Redknapp has decided that he would be unwilling to let Aaron Lennon go to Liverpool as part of a deal…for Keane” • “It is understood that it is Liverpool who are more interested in Lennon being part of the deal than Spurs and Redknapp is not willing to lose the player” • “Benitez has intimated that they would be interested in Lennon. However, Redknapp feels that as the one wide player in his squad with serious pace he could not allow Lennon to leave – even if it meant bringing back Keane” • “With Redknapp refusing to let Lennon go, the prospect of a return to Spurs for Keane will rest on whether Benitez thinks that Jenas is worth taking in return for the striker” • “The Liverpool manager is understood to want a player as part of any deal instead of a straight payment of money because he is not certain, with the boardroom problems at his club, that he will be permitted to spend any of the money recouped for Keane” • “While Redknapp has no great desire to move on Jenas…should Benitez take him as part of a deal to let Keane return then Spurs would accept” • Spurs have made an enquiry about Blackburn’s Roque Santa Cruz “as they try to give themselves a second option in the event of failure in their bid to bring back Robbie Keane” • Blackburn’s valuation of £22m puts Santa Cruz “well out of Spurs' reach” & “their only hope is that Blackburn may be persuaded to lower their asking price if Allardyce finds an alternative” • Spurs have also been linked with Lyons striker Fred, but haven’t made an offer for him according to the French club. Redknapp has also revealed Fred failed to turn up for a scheduled meeting before Spur's win over Stoke. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ls-1518925.html The Liverpool Daily Post • “Asked [at his post-match press conference yesterday] about the latest speculation surrounding Keane’s future, Benitez responded: “I think Robbie will stay.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...375-22806608/2/ The Telegraph • Redknapp is quoted as saying “If I could find one very good player I will sign one, probably a forward…I wouldn’t have thought we will be able to get Keane. He’s a Liverpool player and I don’t like talking about other club’s players.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...am-signing.html

I saw that too & was initially concerned, but he was then asked if it was likely to be any news on his contract & he replied "we will be quiet" (with a smile on his face), which was exactly what he said (also smiling) in relation to Agger's contract after he said "I don't think so" He certainly didn't appear worried, concerned or angry

From what I've read & heard about Kraft (which was quite a bit when he was mentioned as a potential investor before Hicks & Gillett) he's anything but "idiot looking at using us to make a quick profit" He appears to be more a Randy Lerner-type of owner As others have pointed out he doesn't have the money that Abramovich or Sheikh Mansour do

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7854265.stm

Robbie Keane stuff from today's papers............. The Daily Mail • Liverpool & Spurs “have spoken about the deal [for Keane] and it may yet be revived but valuations are a considerable distance apart” • “Liverpool are also believed to prefer players and cash as part of any deal but Harry Redknapp is reluctant to let his better ones go even though Keane would be a welcome addition” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...-Jovanovic.html The Guardian • Spurs “have inquired about re-signing Keane since his omission from the Liverpool squad to face Everton in the FA Cup on Sunday” • “Manchester City have also asked to be kept informed of any willingness at Anfield to sell the 28-year-old” • “At present, the Liverpool hierarchy are intent on keeping Keane, who remains determined to prove himself at the club he supported as a child” • “Keane's commitment to Liverpool is a major obstacle to any club that attempts to sign him this month” • “Benítez denied claims his decision prompted a furious reaction from the striker. Keane, along with all players not selected for Sunday, was given the day off, said Benítez” • “Keane, however, has been left under no illusions that his long-term future at Liverpool will be shaped by his contribution towards the club's title challenge” http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ja...keane-liverpool The Independent • Rafa “is weighing up an offer from Spurs of Aaron Lennon or Jermaine Jenas plus cash in exchange for Keane” • Lennon “has interested Benitez before” • There are still many variables at play, the most important being whether Keane wants to move back [to Spurs]” • “The deal would mean that Liverpool would not have to pay the remaining balance, estimated at £11m, due for Keane in the original transfer” • “The two clubs first raised the possibility on Monday night” • “Keane is known to want to stay and fight for his place at the club” • “increasingly it would appear that Benitez is prepared to use him as a bargaining chip to bolster his squad” • “Lyons striker Fred…is still only a secondary target [for Spurs] after Keane”, who “would be Redknapp's first choice” • Rafa said in his pre-match press conference yesterday "I don't need to sell any players…I want to keep all the players. We don't need to sell anyone. We have had four or five approaches from different teams for players and the answer's been the same for them all – no. We want all our players. We don't want to sell. Robbie could be one of the ones we had an approach about, I won't say." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ne-1517728.html The Liverpool Daily Post – Article 1 • “Keane’s immediate future is at Liverpool” • However, “he knows he must start to prove that his stay with the Reds can last for more than just the next few months” • “Benitez significantly stopped short of saying that Keane was not for sale today” • “The nagging feeling remains, however, that if Benitez could get his money back on Keane and buy a replacement, then the Republic of Ireland captain would be on the market” • “But with the transfer window closing next Monday and Benitez not interested in any player-plus-cash offer from Spurs - which would take into account the money the Merseysiders still owe for the player - Keane looks certain to stay at the club until the end of the season” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-22791958/ The Liverpool Daily Post – Article 2 • Keane “faces a battle to extend his Anfield career beyond the summer” • Rafa “yesterday stopped short of saying the Republic of Ireland international will not be sold before the transfer window shuts next week” • “However, it is almost certain Keane will stay at the club for the remainder of the season” • “Question marks remain over the player’s long-term prospects with former club Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Newcastle United monitoring developments” • Rafa “insisted no talks had been held with Tottenham concerning the 28-year-old” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-22798430/ The Telegraph – Article 1 • “With Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp expressing an interest in the player…the prospect of Keane making a swift return to north London remains alive following Benitez's cryptic response to questions on Tuesday” • “Although it is understood that Liverpool are reluctant to offload any players during the transfer window, Keane's failure to justify his price tag this season has left his future in peril” • Keane is determined “to succeed at Liverpool” • “When asked if Tottenham had registered an interest [in Keane]” Rafa said "I will not talk about what they have done, but clearly he is in the squad because he can be an important player for us. For the next game and also for the rest of the season." • “Benitez was then asked if he would kill all the speculation by saying he did not want to lose Keane. He replied: "Clearly, he is our player and he is in the squad for tomorrow. That's it." • “Benitez, meanwhile, has dismissed suggestions that Keane left Anfield ahead of the Everton game on Sunday after initially being named as substitute. He said: "Not true. I prepared the squad with Sammy Lee and Mauricio Pellegrino and Robbie wasn't in it." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...-Liverpool.html The Telegraph – Article 2 • Rafa also said in his press conference yesterday "We do not want to lose players now if we cannot replace those players later. We need all of them for the race for the title." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...el-Benitez.html

From Sky Sports................. Itandje desperate to quit French keeper wants Reds exit By Patrick Haond Last updated: 27th January 2009 Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje is desperate to leave Anfield. The Reds' No.1 has never played a Premier League game since joining from Lens in 2007. He has played in a handful of cup games, but he clearly has little future at Anfield. Itandje is hopeful of finding a move soon, but is not sure if he will be able to leave before the transfer window closes. "Do I want to leave? That is very clear," he told Aujourd'hui Sport. "I want to get away from here. "I got the green light from my officials but they have set amazing conditions. One or two clubs wanted me on loan this winter, but Liverpool refused asking for a definitive transfer. "I have not played for six months so it is difficult to understand. "I have never played a single Premier League match. And this season I didn't play in the cups either. Last season I had two bad matches in the cup." Boro snub Itandje revealed that Middlesbrough tried to sign him last summer, but the deal was not agreed. "Last summer Middlesbrough wanted to sign me on loan and a few French clubs contacted me, but Liverpool refused. "The officials absolutely wanted me to go to Galatasaray. Finally both clubs could not find any agreement and the deal fell through. So I found myself here against my will, just to train." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_4857374,00.html

Tony Barrett in today's Echo............... Spurs’ interest in Keane is real though and should they come up with a formal offer which would allow Liverpool to recoup most or all of their summer outlay for the striker it could tempt Benitez to do business. But with just days to go before the January transfer window closes the Spaniard would have to be convinced that he would be allowed to reinvest any incoming fees in squad replenishment before any bids are even considered. Keane has three and a half years of his four year Liverpool contract remaining and would only consider his future if he was told he is surplus to requirements at Anfield. A source close to the player told the ECHO: “Robbie does not want to leave Liverpool. “When he signed for Liverpool last summer he said it was his dream move to be able to sign for the club he supported as a boy. “He was not in the team on Sunday but now he just wants to fight for his place.” http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-22788470/

Liverpool star Keane off to Newcastle: Transfer Talk Monday, January 26, 2009 Metro's Danny Griffiths digs deep to bring you all the latest transfer stories, rumours and gossip from around the country. Newcastle United may be the shock destination for Robbie Keane after he has become a square peg in a round hole at Liverpool. The Magpies need a big impact player to replace Michael Owen who appears set for a summer move to Manchester City. And Keane, left out the FA Cup draw with Everton yesterday, is the type of energetic, high-octane player to excite the Toon Army if the Tyneside club steers clear of the relegation zone. Newcastle may even strike while he iron is hot by making a move before the transfer window closes next Monday. But Liverpool would have to swallow a significant loss on the £20m they paid Tottenham for the Republic of Ireland striker in the summer. Keane, who stayed away from Anfield after he was not even given a place on the bench yesterday, faces a tough future. It is difficult to see where he can go if he leaves Merseyside as he would not be a fit for Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal while Manchester City have just bought a replacement in Craig Bellamy and Everton do not have the cash. Aston Villa may be interested but Liverpool would want to engineer a swap deal for Gareth Barry and that won't happen if Martin O'Neill's men qualify for the Champions League. Villa would prefer to sign Daniel Sturridge from City and they are also interested in Eastlands midfielder Michael Johnson. Spurs may welcome home the prodigal son but he has already sown he cannot play effectively alongside Jermain Defoe leaving Newcastle as his best bet if he is to leave his boyhood heroes and remain in the Premier League. http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/arti...p;in_page_id=43

Robbie Keane stuff from today's papers............. The Daily Mail – Article 1 • “A Barclays Premier League club made representations to Robbie Keane, via go-betweens, last week” • “They were told he doesn't want to leave Anfield” • Keane was “angry” at being dropped • However, “by Monday morning, the red mist had cleared and he was vowing to do his utmost to win a recall for Wednesday night's Premier League game at the JJB Stadium” • If Keane “isn't playing, he isn't happy, and it is an outlook that could yet earn him a move to Manchester City or even back to White Hart Lane” • Man City are “monitoring developments and are ready to offer him an escape route, should they receive even a glimmer of encouragement from Benitez” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...-Liverpool.html The Daily Mail – Article 2 • Redknapp “has never considered making a move for Keane” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...lop-Robbie.html The Guardian – Article 1 • Spurs “have made an inquiry to Liverpool about the possibility of taking Robbie Keane back to White Hart Lane” • “Manchester City are also understood to have approached the Merseyside club over Keane” • “Players who are not selected by the manager Rafael Benítez are given the option of whether to attend and Keane decided to stay away” • “Liverpool are resolved to keep him” • Keane “supported the club as a boy and he is determined not to give up on the dream” http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ja...ttenham-hotspur The Guardian – Article 2 • Everton “have also been linked” with Keane • Liverpool and Keane’s representatives “insist no parting of the ways is planned” • Rafa “wanted Keane in place only after Gareth Barry had been acquired from Aston Villa last summer” http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ja...-rafael-benitez The Independent – Article 1 • Keane “is at pains to stress that his non-appearance at Anfield on Sunday for the Cup tie against Everton was at the suggestion of the club” http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...ke-1516827.html The Independent – Article 2 • Keane “appears determined to salvage [his] Liverpool career” • Keane “was said to have impressed manager Rafael Benitez with the intensity of his training at the club's Melwood training ground yesterday morning” • Keane’s absence from Anfield for Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Everton “is less significant than it seemed” as “any player not in the squad for the match was given Sunday off and that, rather than a personal protest, was why he did not appear” • “There appears to be no realistic prospect of the Irishman taking a road back to Tottenham even though Spurs could conceivably write off the £10.8m outstanding on the initial £20.3m deal to smooth the way” • “Redknapp has not mentioned Keane to his chairman” • “Benitez's reasons for sticking with Keane include his need for striking reinforcements, with Torres troubled with hamstrings all season, as well as his personal reputation in the transfer market which is already on the line with none of his summer buys having flourished” • “Benitez might characterise Keane as the summer signing he coveted far less than Aston Villa's Gareth Barry – whom he was denied – yet it was he who persuaded the club's American owners after Crouch's departure that a striking replacement was a top priority and, with the club aware that Spurs would not part company for less than £20m, that a substantial outlay would be necessary. Keane's age was discussed at the time, but Tom Hicks and George Gillett were persuaded by their manager's argument that he was injury free and that you pay a premium for strikers.” • “It is Hicks, of the club's two proprietors, who is privately most positive about Keane and the money laid out for him, though that may have much to do with a desire to position himself as the manager's ally” http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...er-1516833.html The Liverpool Daily Post • “With Everton in the market for a striker and Keane out of favour, speculation has been growing that David Moyes could be planning an audacious loan swoop for the Irish international who he targeted during his time at White Hart Lane” • However, “Liverpool will not sanction a move across Stanley Park” for Keane • “Manchester City have yet to make a formal approach for Keane but club officials insist their interest is genuine” • While Harry Redknapp “publicly claimed yesterday that he sees any move for the player as being unrealistic, he is likely to move if City make a bid” • Speculation that Keane “stormed off” after being dropped “is not true” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...64375-22785603/ The Mirror • Spurs “made a firm enquiry after Rafa Benitez axed Keane from Liverpool’s FA Cup clash with Everton on Sunday” • “Liverpool have only paid around £10m so far up front for the striker, and Spurs are keen to push through a deal by writing off the outstanding cash and offering £5m” • Man City “have also made an enquiry, with boss Mark Hughes a confirmed admirer of Keane” • “Liverpool have insisted that Keane is not for sale – but they may be tempted to cut their losses now, rather than watch the £20m misfit devalue even further by the summer” • “Benitez has very little cover behind Fernando Torres and that is the major stumbling block to a move happening this month. But it will not deter Spurs in their desperate search for another forward to strengthen their squad with Darren Bent set to be offloaded” http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...15875-21073735/ The Telegraph • Man City are “understood to be monitoring the situation in case Liverpool put Keane up for sale following the forward's boycott of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Everton” • “Any City move for Keane would also depend on the breakdown of their efforts to acquire Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn” • “Although manager Rafael Benitez has said there will be no departures this month – with Liverpool claiming that position stands – his relationship with Keane has been strained by the striker's failure to turn up for the Everton game” • “It is believed that if Tottenham were to make a substantial enough offer Benitez, ultimately, would not stand in his way” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...bbie-Keane.html The Times • Keane is “more concerned than ever about his long-term prospects at Anfield” • However, “he intends to stay and fight for his place” • Spurs have “indicated an interest in taking him back to White Hart Lane, whether in this transfer window or at the end of the season” “if Liverpool are willing to cut their losses on the forward” • Manchester City “also showed a vague interest in Keane this month” before they signed Craig Bellamy • “So Tottenham would be in pole position” should Keane become available • “While Redknapp’s statement [yesterday] may appear to rule out an imminent approach for Keane, he made similar public overtures while canvassing whether Portsmouth would be willing to sell Defoe.” • “As with that transfer, the structure of the original deal may work in Tottenham’s favour. They are likely to offer Liverpool a small sum while waiving the balance of approximately £10.8 million that is outstanding on the July agreement.” • “Liverpool may prefer an exchange deal, with a player such as Aaron Lennon or Gareth Bale moving in the opposite direction” • “Keane is determined to make things work at Liverpool…but he is known to be disappointed by his position” • “Contrary to reports that Keane refused to attend the match in protest at his omission, the player reluctantly accepted Benítez’s decision and trained with his team-mates yesterday” • “He hopes to be involved away to Wigan Athletic tomorrow evening and firmly expects to stay for the rest of the season” http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle5594535.ece

A few more comments from Agger............ “Now I have to focus 100% on football. “I know I’m good enough to be playing each time. “My goal is to be in all the matches and to win some silverware with Liverpool.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...375-22785603/2/

Agger stuff from today's papers......... According to the Daily Mail AC Milan continue to monitor Agger’s situation, following his recent comments that he has “no idea” if Liverpool want to sign a new deal, while the Times says Real Madrid are also interested in Agger. Agger says in the Guardian that he “cannot relate…right now” to buying out the final year of his current contract in the summer using the Webster Ruling and, according to the article, “reiterated his intention to remain at ¬Liverpool” and “claimed to be uninterested in the offers he has received so far to leave Anfield”. Agger said “It is an annoying situation and in principle it is a little bit frustrating not to get any messages ¬especially when it has almost been three months. They were the ones who told me they wanted to come back quickly. Honestly, I don't have any clue if they want to extend this contract." The Independent says that Agger's salary demands “exceed what Liverpool want to pay” and is “concerned about his lack of first-team starts”, and that a meeting between Rafa, Rick Parry, Agger & his agent “has been delayed by Benitez's recent illness”.

Matt Dickinson in today's Times.............. The Times January 27, 2009 Rafael Benítez undergoes cross-examination Matt Dickinson, Chief Sports Correspondent Here is what I would be concerned about if I were Rafael Benítez and it is not whether Liverpool FC are owned by the banks, Kuwaitis or two Americans united only by their desire to recover some dollars. I would not be too preoccupied as to whether I’d dropped a big blunder by spending £20.3 million on Robbie Keane. I’d find a use for him, knowing I am not going to get my money back. I would not give two hoots about whether Sir Alex Ferguson has a hotline to the Premier League’s fixtures office or invites referees around to his house for dinner (or whatever conspiracy theory Benítez had on that side of A4). I’d forget about whether Everton play 4-6-0 or 4-3-3. And I would put right to the back of my mind that I did not get the funds to buy Gareth Barry last summer, particularly because he may not even have got into the first XI. With an FA Cup, Champions League and championship to fight for, I would concentrate on the job in hand. Specifically, I might turn my attention to the statistic that more than 70 per cent of Barclays Premier League goals conceded by Liverpool this season have come from crosses — something that needs resolving far quicker than any of the issues with which Benítez seems so absorbed. A figure of 71.43 per cent is more than double that of Portsmouth, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City — remarkable when you think about it. Indeed, aside from Bolton Wanderers, every other Premier League team rank at less than 50 per cent of goals conceded from crosses, the majority below 40. This may be a failure of concentration, of coaching or, in Benítez’s eyes, probably a lack of resources to purchase better full backs. Either way, it is his job to resolve the problem before it starts causing any more damage. Will he? Let us hope so for the sake of an interesting title race but who knows how to second-guess Benítez? Almost five years we have watched him but he is still an odd one, the Spaniard — shrewd, calculating and yet, ultimately, still unknowable even to his own players. He is such a wily tactician and yet his outbursts this season have seemed so intemperate. However just his grievances with Ferguson or Rick Parry, the dithering Liverpool chief executive, the same question is being asked every time he has gone public — “why now?” You would think he would know the maxim that football management brings enough troubles without crossing the road in search of more. And yet he has succeeded only in piling pressure on a team that must overcome Manchester United’s superior resources, and raising questions about his own future and that of some of his playing staff. Of course he’ll always have Istanbul but, if Benítez departed English football tomorrow, what imprint would he leave? José Mourinho gave us not only trophies but great quotes, a colossal ego and brooding charisma. Even in these fallow years, Arsène Wenger clings proudly to a unique and beautiful vision of the game. Benítez? Well, two Champions League finals is not to be sniffed at but will we miss him when he is gone? Let’s just say that he could do with backing up his recent outbursts with something silver and tangible. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle5594514.ece

From today's Telegraph............ Liverpool's crunch week as Tom Hicks arrives in town It is do-or-die time at Anfield, both on and off the pitch. After a month of contractual stalemates, boardroom wrangles, mooted sales, set-piece goals and dropped points, Liverpool now face one of the most critical weeks of their season. By Rory Smith Last Updated: 7:21AM GMT 27 Jan 2009 The importance of the week is underlined by the expected presence of the club's co-owner, Tom Hicks, who will arrive on Merseyside ahead of Sunday's Premier League match with Chelsea. Hicks is saddling up to ride to the rescue of manager Rafael Benitez, bearing promises to sort out a new long-term contract to tie him to the club until 2013 which would underline the American's own commitment to Liverpool. That commitment was seemingly strengthened yesterday when sources at the Royal Bank of Scotland, with whom Hicks and his business partner George Gillett have a £350 million loan due for repayment or refinance in July, suggested the bank were not expecting any movement on the club's ownership until July. Reports in Texas suggest that Hicks has reaffirmed his desire to remain involved with Liverpool, telling friends in Dallas they "shouldn't believe what they read" about his desire to sell up and that he was instead seeking investors who could buy out Gillett. Such a deal is unlikely, with sources in the Gulf suggesting that any Arab buyer would want full control. Any hope of a deal with the Kuwaiti Al-Kharafi family seemingly ended when details of talks became public. Gillett, meanwhile, is unwilling to sell up unless Hicks does the same. No doubt these issues will all be on the agenda when Hicks and Benitez meet, as well as the Spaniard's demand for full control over transfers, the sticking point in his contract talks. So too, possibly, will be Liverpool's stuttering form. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...es-in-town.html

From Oliver Kay in the Times today............. "The situation appears unsustainable and, while Gillett is desperate to sell his 50 per cent stake, having accepted that he has neither the resources nor the will to deliver his grand vision for the club, the long-term outlook remains unclear. The Al-Kharafi family, from Kuwait, have backed away from a possible takeover since reports of their interest filtered out of the Hicks camp last week. Having mysteriously pulled out of a planned purchase of the club last July, after an agreement was reached on a price, it appears unlikely that they will be back for a third time. Hicks would listen to any serious offer for his stake, with no guarantee that Royal Bank of Scotland will offer the owners an extension to their £350 million loan, which expires in July, but for now he appears determined to find an investor who will help him to buy out Gillett. Speaking over the weekend at a banquet held by the Texas Rangers, the baseball franchise that he owns, Hicks said that he was “not selling” and that, on the contrary, he was “bringing in a new partner to buy out my current partner”. He did, however, say something remarkably similar last April, to no avail. Regardless of whether he is able to survive at Anfield in the long term, Hicks has an important role to play once he arrives. He has already stated his intention to address Benítez’s concerns over the contract and to “fix” the problems that exist elsewhere. Short of disappearing, the Texan would appear an unlikely candidate to solve Liverpool’s problems, given that he and Gillett created many of them, but, for Benítez, Agger, Parry and the rest, there must be the hope that the coming days will bring answers because the situation as it stands is untenable." http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle5594748.ece

The Guardian & the Telegraph this morning both say Man City & Spurs are in for Keane http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ja...ttenham-hotspur http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...bbie-Keane.html

I read somewhere the rule was bought in to prevent abuse of the loan system (the article didn't explain how) & not to stop genuine transfers, which are viewed as ok by the authorities; hence, Defoe & Chimbonda returning to Spurs On the same basis, there ain't no rules preventing Keane from returning to Spurs

Here's the story.......... REDKNAPP SIGNALS INTEREST IN KEANE By Mike McGrath, PA Sport Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp hints he would be interested in signing Liverpool striker Robbie Keane. Keane has struggled to make an impact at Anfield after leaving Spurs in the summer and was not in the squad for the FA Cup clash against Everton at the weekend. "I wouldn't sit here and say I wouldn't like to have Robbie Keane at my football club, I'd be a liar, but he belongs to Liverpool so it is not an option unfortunately," Redknapp said. "As a player and a person I have a lot of time for Robbie Keane. I think he's fantastic." Keane's omission fuelled concerns about his future, although Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has previously stated there will be no departures in the current transfer window. Redknapp is in the market for another striker and has pursued Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones and is monitoring Fred's situation at French side Lyon. http://www.sportinglife.com/story_get.cgi?...ual_163526.html

From the BBC Gossip Column.............. Harry Redknapp has declared his interest in bringing Liverpool striker Robbie Keane back to White Hart Lane. (PA Sport 1616 GMT) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/7850525.stm

Am i right in thinking that what you're really saying is that Gillett & Hicks are a double negative?