Stefano

It tells the story that despite selling one of our best players for 30 million quid, we're likely to have a net spend of zilch. That said if Rafa is complaining about money then you have to question why he's spent so much on a full back and midfielder who isn't available for 2 months.

Just subscribed to ESPN, so watching this live. Xabi is his imperous self.

Sir Ryan misses.

The respect the ref campaign is still going strong.

It was a body check, Evra went down holding his nose and the Ref played advantage.

Sir Ryan and Mr England coming on.

Serves Evra right, the cheat. Ref got that spot on.

Drogba straight back into the pantomine routine. Horrible t***. Mancs looking sharp, especially Nani. Be nice to think Babel would start the season with similar enthusiasm.

Benitez said: "Jamie's injury is not serious, just a twisted ankle. But with our injury problems which include Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, we felt we needed to take him off as a precaution, just in case. "We will keep an eye on him for two or three days to see how he reacts, but I feel he will be OK. Hopefully, Agger or Skrtel will be fit too. "Agger has a back problem, and that should be OK in a couple of days. Skrtel is nearly over his hamstring injury, he's nearly there. "He is training again and I believe that at the end of this week both of them will be fit to play

So if all the criteria are met we'll end up paying 20 million quid? Bargain. Begs the question if we're only paying 5 million up front, where's the rest of the money gone?

Just proves how difficult it is to find buyers in the current climate. If no one will pay a 100 million for what is a big club, who will pay 400 million?

Torres hasn't travelled to Spain for the internationals apparently. Could be good or bad news. We really do need another good alternative. f*** knows who in our price range though. Hammill has agreed terms with Barnsley and will sign today.

12 million. I'd rather get Sol Campbell on a free for a season.

Lucas will start at Spurs, but I can see Gerrard/Masch against Stoke and a few others until Aqualini is fit and providing a bit more drive from deep. I'd probably stick Dirk upfront with Torres and Benayoun on the right.

10 million for a 30 year old who will sit on the bench for the majority of the season? What's the point? Have a bit of faith in the youngsters.

It isn't true in any way shape or form. It's just a lazy stereotype regurgitated on various message boards until it's becomes fact. While I agree that Rafa has improved his game and he's now at his best further forward, the lad is still a top class CM and more than capable of dictating the game. And off the top of my head I can remember at least two excellent performances with Gerrard and Masch in the middle - Marseille away being one of them when we absolutely mullered them. Like any partnership they just need games together.

Is this what it's going to be like with you all season, jumping on any of his poor performances to tell us how amazingly insightful you are, while ignoring any positives?

Didn't think Johnson was at fault for any of the goals.

Queen flew back with the Atletico squad? That was nice of them.

Absolutely. On his day his passing, long and short, is as good as anyone in the game.

Have to agree to disagree. For me he can do that but is more effective sitting and protecting the back four and keeping it simple. I just don't think he's dynamic or instinctive enough to really aid the attack.

Where does this myth come from that Gerrard can only play at one tempo? Did you see the vision for Lucas's goal today?

We shall see. I think he and Masch are too similar to really strike up a succesful long term partnership though, so it will have to be him who takes the initiative and link up with the attack, which to be fair he has been trying to do.

Some type of forward, certainly. I don't think any of the wide lads are consistant enough, although Benayoun might surprise me this season. If saving money on a CB meant getting Silva or someone of that ilk who can keep the ball and open defences up, I'd go for it.

I agree. Sometimes you've just got to throw them in and let them learn under pressure. They'll only be 4th choice anyway, so it's unlikely we'll be relying on them every week. Give them a good run out in the domestic cup games and and speed up their development. Plus we desperately need to improve our attacking options.