GWistooshort

Latest on Mascherano from a Telegraph article by Rory Smith including some quotes from Roy tonight on Inter's bid........... "The Liverpool manager, though, is increasingly likely to lose Javier Mascherano, although he dismissed suggestions that Inter had re-entered the race for the Argentine captain. Although he confirmed that the Italian champions had submitted a bid by fax, he described the offer made - believed to be £6 million plus the Ghanaian international Sulley Muntari - as a “joke”. “I saw a fax the other day but I think it was sent tongue in cheek,“ said Hodgson. “It was so unbelievably far from our valuation I thought he (sporting director Marco Branca) was maybe putting it in to satisfy people in the club. We did not even bother to answer, that's how ridiculously far from our valuation it was.” Sources at Liverpool have indicated Barcelona remain the only realistic destination for the 26 year-old. Negotiations between the two clubs are continuing, though it is believed the two parties are still some way apart in their valuations. Liverpool are not likely to sell for substantially less than their £25 million valuation of the player." The article also says that PSV’s valuation of Toivonen "remains well beyond Hodgson’s means, even if Mascherano is sold". http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/7966890/Trabzonspor-v-Liverpool-Dirk-Kuyt-pledges-future-to-Anfield-after-Inter-Milan-link.html

Here are Roy's quotes on Dirk in full.......... 'Dirk has not told me he wants to go and I can only reiterate that we have not received any offer from any club for him. 'It strikes me there is obviously something going on behind the scenes here and it may be that the agent involved is talking to the manager of Inter Milan. ‘You have to remember that when Rafa Benitez left Liverpool, he signed an agreement that he would not poach any of our players and I think Dirk Kuyt falls into that category. ‘We would not welcome any offer, we have not received one and, at this very late stage of the transfer window, it would be remarkably unusual for us to accept any offer for a player we don’t want to leave. 'At this juncture, the money would be no use to us because it is far too late to start looking for a replacement. 'We need the player, not the money, and I would suggest, with respect, that if his agent is serious about trying to move him on, he should have been working on it four or five weeks ago, not in the last three or four days, because we are not even going to entertain the idea so close to the end of August. ‘I had an assurance from the Inter president Massimo Moratti that they would not try to sign any of our players in this window, and that still holds good.’ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1306097/Roy-Hodgson-blasts-Liverpool-boss-Rafa-Benitez-Dirk-Kuyt-pursuit.html

In that article Roy also says that we haven't received any offer for Dirk & he's not interested in Trezeguet, Gomez or Carlton Cole

From the official site............. Liverpool and Juventus have agreed a one-year loan deal for Alberto Aquilani. The midfielder will undergo a medical in Italy on Monday. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/aquilani-loan-deal-agreed

well he was definitely at the match last night - was shown on the tele walking to his seat with Stevie

Haung to issue a statement re LFC today according to both the Telegraph & the Independent http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/7955367/Former-Chelsea-chief-executive-Peter-Kenyon-emerges-as-key-player-in-Liverpools-takeover.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/nervous-return-awaits-liverpool-after-penalty-blunder-by-cole-2057364.html

Write to/email your MP & ask them to sign his motion, which is Early Day Motion (EDM) 197 - see http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41120&SESSION=905 for details You can find out who your MP is by entering your postcode at http://www.theyworkforyou.com

Had to laugh at this in Bascombe's piece at the weekend................. "With a title challenge earning him a new, five-year deal in 2009, Benitez thought he'd won his war. Instead he came up against Christian Purslow at a time when key players' form dipped and injuries took their toll. Vulnerable, Benitez became more confrontational. Purslow soon found himself cast as panto villain amongst the clan referred to in Anfield circles as 'the Rafa mafia'. The poisonous leaks against Purslow were assisted by the careful manipulation of Benitez's sympathisers who laughably complained when the boss became the victim of his own smear tactics." http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/837902/THE-RISE-AND-FALL-OF-RAFA-BENITEZ.html

Transfer speculation & news from the mainstream media............. There are suggestions that officials from Inter Milan made contact with Mascherano's representatives on Wednesday with a view to persuading him to join them. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/benitez-gives-16396000-to-hillsborough-families-1997094.html Man City have beaten off competition from Liverpool to sign Swindon's highly-rated 16 year old Alex Henshall, who made 2 sub appearances for the League One side last season. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11719_6199668,00.html Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has confirmed the Italian club have had requests for centre back Simon Kjaer, who has been linked with Liverpool in previous articles, from Man City & Man Utd, but tht "there are still differences between what we want & what they are offering". http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1285686/Manchester-United-consider-Simon-Kjaer-replacement-Nemanja-Vidic.html Liverpool's bid for 18 year old Rangers centre back Danny Wilson is on hold while Liverpool search for a new manager. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/11/danny-wilson-s-dream-move-to-anfield-in-doubt-as-liverpool-fc-search-for-a-new-manager-100252-26631360/

Brief update from the Liverpool Echo today............. "Liverpool insist no appointment is imminent as they continue to compile a shortlist of candidates to take over from Benitez. Roy Hodgson remains the favourite to land the job but there has so far been no approach to Fulham to speak to their manager." http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/11/danny-wilson-s-dream-move-to-anfield-in-doubt-as-liverpool-fc-search-for-a-new-manager-100252-26631360/2/ Also, haven't seen it posted elsewhere on here, but Maddock said in the Mirror the other day that Rafa's initial payment of his pay-off was less then £3m & as he has now got a new job he won't get any further pay-off under the terms of the deal http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-could-break-even-on-Rafa-Benitez-sacking-following-Inter-Milan-move-article453359.html

Barrett obviously doesn't believe Jackson's denial then

According to the Liverpool Daily Post Gerrard also said “I will speak about Rafael Benitez and Liverpool’s situation after the World Cup.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/11/steven-gerrard-refuses-to-discuss-liverpool-fc-future-92534-26631714/

The Echo today said Dalglish is "a close friend" of Purslow http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/05/pressure-on-for-kenny-dalglish-to-find-the-right-man-for-liverpool-fc-100252-26590119/2/ Tony Evans in the Times yesterday said Purslow is a "long-time friend" of Dalglish's http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7143782.ece

Fabio Capello is convinced Rafael Benitez's exit from the Liverpool hot-seat will not affect Steven Gerrard's focus ahead of the World Cup. News of the Spaniard's departure greeted the England players as they touched down in South Africa on Thursday but Capello insists it will not hinder his preparations. "Stevie is okay," said Capello. "He has his telephone and the media are here. "I know that Liverpool have changed their manager but I don't think it can disturb him. "It is another thing. We are focused on the World Cup, not club problems. "We are focused on training every day and that's it. We have other problems without thinking about this one." The England boss also left the door open for Kenny Dalglish to travel to South Africa to discuss the vacant Anfield hot-seat with both Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, but revealed there had been no approach by Liverpool regarding the issue. "We have to decide about this and what happens, yes or no," said the England coach. "First of all, he (Dalglish) would have to ask me. After that, I would speak with the players." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/capello-gerrard-is-focused

& finally.............. "Neither player’s [Gerrard & Torres] future was ever tied to Benitez remaining at the club. Far from it. However, both are known to harbour similar concerns about the direction of the club to those held by their now former manager. And look what happened to him." http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/05/liverpool-fc-must-now-show-steven-gerrard-and-fernando-torres-proof-of-their-ambition-100252-26590120/3/

Round up of transfer speculation from today's mainstream media.............. Guardian "It is the future direction of the club, not Benítez's departure, that will have a greater bearing on players' decisions". Mascherano's "Anfield future is in serious doubt". Real Madrid "are confident" of signing Gerrard after the World Cup & it "could be difficult" for Torres to resist a move to Chelsea or Barcelona "in the current climate". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/04/rafael-benitez-liverpool-successor Liverpool Echo "Rumours that Benitez had “lost the dressing room” have been blown out of all proportion this week. Of course there were murmurings of discontent in certain corners but that was only natural after such a poor season. But the real disillusionment among senior players is about where the club is heading and the ongoing failure to secure new investment. If Liverpool and their new manager can’t reassure them that they will be able to satisfy their thirst for silverware at Anfield then they will head elsewhere." http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/05/pressure-on-for-kenny-dalglish-to-find-the-right-man-for-liverpool-fc-100252-26590119/2/ "Neither player’s [Gerrard & Torres] future was ever tied to Benitez remaining at the club. Far from it. However, both are known to harbour similar concerns about the direction of the club to those held by their now former manager. And look what happened to him." http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/05/liverpool-fc-must-now-show-steven-gerrard-and-fernando-torres-proof-of-their-ambition-100252-26590120/3/ Mail Chelsea will launch "a sustained bid" to sign Torres "in a deal that could reach £70m" & "are confident Liverpool's owners will not be able to resist". Man City "can match any offer", even if they sign Edin Dzeko for £36m "as expected", but, "crucially", they cannot offer Torres Champions League football next season. Torres "has grown increasingly disillusioned with the deteriorating situation at Anfield". Chelsea "expect" to sign Benayoun for £6m "before the World Cup". Benayoun "is expected to return from holiday in Israel early next week to discuss personal terms" with Chelsea. Mascherano, who "is known to be unhappy over Benitez's departure", "could also be on his way out of Anfield with reports in Italy yesterday linking him with a £30m move to Inter Milan". Inter are also "believed to be interested" in signing Kuyt. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1284101/Chelsea-aim-advantage-chaos-Liverpool-big-new-bid-Fernando-Torres.html Telegraph If Rafa becomes Inter Milan's new manager, the Italian club "is likely to offer him the enticement of the chance to make Mascherano his first signing of the summer". http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7804467/Roy-Hodgson-is-favourite-to-succeed-Rafael-Benitez-as-Liverpool-manager.html Times Real Madrid "are increasingly confident" that Gerrard will join them this summer. Mascherano is "keen to move to the Continent". http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7144390.ece

Comments from some of the potential contenders or their agents...................... Guus Hiddink's agent, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen "Guus has shown over the years that he is loyal to agreements that he signed. There is no reason today why he would change such behaviour.Guus just started two weeks ago in Turkey and as much as he likes the Premier League and as much as he respects Liverpool as a legendary club with a great future ahead, a switch would be hardly doable. Two weeks ago for the same reason he refused the position at Inter Milan post Jose Mourinho. I know, never say never and especially in football this is true, but for me this is an impossible thought." Sven-Goran Eriksson "I have been a Liverpool fan all of my life. I never mentioned it when I was in charge of England because I didn't think it was fair. It is every manager's dream to manage Liverpool. My father was also a Liverpool supporter and every Saturday we would watch an English match on television. It was the highlight of the week. Liverpool matches were televised quite regularly and we would cheer them on. They have always been my team and nothing has changed." Slaven Bilic's agent, Domagoj Bilic "It is true that one day Slaven would like to manage in the Premier League and there are not many clubs bigger than Liverpool. It is always an honour to be linked to a big club but at this moment in time to discuss Slaven joining Liverpool is frivolous. An offer has not come - not yet anyway - so we will not discuss it. But if any offer does come we will of course discuss it." Frank Rijkaard's agent Perry Overmeers "Rumours linking Frank to Liverpool are just that, rumours. Frank is the type of person who likes to fulfil his obligations and he has one year left on his contract with Galatasaray. There has been no contact from Liverpool." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8723840.stm The article also says that "according to reports in Spain, sources close to former Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini suggest the Chilean would be interested in becoming Liverpool's new boss".

Also from today's Liverpool Echo................ "Rumours that Benitez had “lost the dressing room” have been blown out of all proportion this week. Of course there were murmurings of discontent in certain corners but that was only natural after such a poor season. But the real disillusionment among senior players is about where the club is heading and the ongoing failure to secure new investment." http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/05/pressure-on-for-kenny-dalglish-to-find-the-right-man-for-liverpool-fc-100252-26590119/2/

From today's Liverpool Echo................. "Critics will argue Benitez's reign had runs its course – that it had gone stale and change was needed. But the fact is Benitez wasn't dismissed because Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League. He was ditched because he couldn't agree to the financial constraints imposed on him this summer and that's a damning indictment of Tom Hicks and George Gillett." http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/05/blood-red-mistakes-were-made-but-rafa-benitez-had-a-genuine-feel-for-liverpool-fc-100252-26590116/2/

Round up of what the papers are saying today about our search for a new manager................ Guardian Hodgson is "the leading candidate" after Liverpool directors met to discuss possible replacements for Rafa. O'Neill also has "supporters inside the Anfield boardroom", but Hodgson "is expected to receive the first approach". "Despite the financial restrictions and doubts over key players, Anfield officials are confident of securing their first choice". As yet no formal approach has been made to Fulham, who "would not welcome a move for their manager" & "would fight hard to keep [him]". Hodgson has a £2.5m release clause in his 12-month rolling contract with Fulham. Despite calls for Dalglish to be manager, he "is not expected to return to the role". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/04/rafael-benitez-liverpool-successor Independent Hodgson "has emerged as the preferred candidate to replace Rafael Benitez". Hodgson "is thought to be widely liked at Anfield & not only because of the remarkable job he did at Fulham last season". "It is what he will bring off the field that is also thought to be highly sought by Liverpool. Hodgson, in contrast [to Rafa], is seen as a manager who will concentrate more on sorting out the many problems Liverpool face on the pitch rather than being involved in disrupting things behind the scenes." "It remains to be seen as to whether Hodgson...would be interested in confronting the difficult situation at Anfield...However...the urge for one last shot at a world famous club may prove to be too tempting to resist." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-drawn-to-hodgsons-experience-and-high-reputation-1991864.html Liverpool Echo Hodgson "remains the early favourite at this stage, as he ticks a number of the boxes that the board are looking for" http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/05/liverpool-fc-deal-for-serbian-international-milan-jovanovic-is-still-on-100252-26592052/2/ "There is only one man for the job. Dalglish needs to stop searching and look in the mirror. Amid so much uncertainty, the only suitable solution is for the club to hand Dalglish the job in the short term." http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/05/pressure-on-for-kenny-dalglish-to-find-the-right-man-for-liverpool-fc-100252-26590119/2/ Mail Hodgson "is the early favourite because he meets Liverpool's requirement for a statesmanlike figure & is seen as a more attainable target" than Hiddink or Van Gaal, who are the other "strong contenders". Rijkaard "ruled himself out of the running yesterday". Hughes is "unlikely to be considered despite indications he would welcome the chance to re-launch his managerial career at Anfield", while "O'Neill's uneasy relationship with Aston Villa chief Randy Lerner over transfer funds...may count against him". http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1284101/Chelsea-aim-advantage-chaos-Liverpool-big-new-bid-Fernando-Torres.html Mirror Dalglish & Purslow met at Anfield yesterday & drew up a shortlist of potential new managers. The "overwhelming front-runners on that list" are Hodgson & van Gaal, who "will be the first two managers to be approached by Liverpool". "Dalglish will make discreet approaches to both". "Fulham would mount a fight to stop Hodgson moving to Anfield". http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-king-maker-Kenny-Dalglish-will-speak-to-Roy-Hodgson-and-Louis-van-Gaal-about-replacing-Rafa-Benitez-article448869.html Hodgson "has remained quiet about Liverpool’s interest in recent days" but "is thought to be interested in one last challenge". http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Roy-Hodgson-saved-Inter-Milan-and-the-Fulham-boss-is-the-perfect-man-to-turn-Liverpool-around-says-Massimo-Moratti-article448745.html Telegraph Hodgson "has emerged as the leading contender to succeed Rafael Benítez". Hughes "has been roundly dismissed as a contender. That the Welshman met Purslow in Lisbon in April as Benítez’s side faced Benfica in the Europa League had been taken as a sign he had some support at boardroom level". O’Neill’s problematic relationship with Randy Lerner "is likely to count against [him]". Hiddink, Pellegrini, van Gaal & Rijkaard "are more distant prospects". Rijkaard intends to remain at Galatasaray for at least one more year. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7804467/Roy-Hodgson-is-favourite-to-succeed-Rafael-Benitez-as-Liverpool-manager.html Times Liverpool "have been encouraged to believe that Hodgson...would listen to an offer if they are given permission to speak". However, Fulham "will resist any attempt from Liverpool to appoint Hodgson", who "has a close relationship with Kenny Dalglish". "Fulham believe that Liverpool may turn to Mark Hughes because he is out of work & there would be no compensation". http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7144390.ece

Liverpool FC deal for Serbian international Milan Jovanovic is still on Jun 5 2010 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo LIVERPOOL are committed to wrapping up a deal for Milan Jovanovic as they begin the process of rebuilding after the Rafa Benitez era. The Serbian international has long been on the Reds’ radar and Benitez had laid the groundwork for bringing the versatile striker – he can also play on the left side of midfield – to Anfield on a Bosman this summer. Terms on a three-year deal were initially agreed with Jovanovic in February and he also passed a stringent medical in London in April – now all that remains for him to become a Liverpool player is the formality of completing a work permit. Liverpool officials are “confident” that will be wrapped up shortly but the fact that no deal has yet been signed means there is still a possibility that the player could yet decide not to pursue a move to Anfield. Jovanovic is understood to have expressed some concerns about Benitez’s departure from the Anfield hot seat as one of the reasons he indicated his desire to leave Standard Liege was to work with Benitez. It must also be stressed, however, that he is overwhelmed by the idea of playing for Liverpool and, on a number of occasions, the 29-year-old has said how he is looking forward to the fact he “will now never walk alone”. Inevitably, he will have questions to ask regarding what the future holds for the club but Liverpool remain optimistic that they will be in a position to officially announce his arrival in the near future, possibly before the World Cup starts. As someone who scored 69 times in 146 appearances for Standard Liege – one was a penalty that knocked Everton out of the Europa League in October 2008 – Jovanovic will be an important addition to a squad that lacked striking options last season. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/05/liverpool-fc-deal-for-serbian-international-milan-jovanovic-is-still-on-100252-26592052/

Tony Barrett's article in the Times yesterday said the Hughes "is known to have met Liverpool representatives when they played Benfica in Lisbon", but didn't say who the Liverpool representatives were http://www.ynwa.tv/forum/index.php?showtopic=149422&view=findpost&p=2638575

I will try to do better next time I will try to do better next time I will try to do better next time I will try to do better next time I will try to do better next time etc

This is one of the main benefits for Hicks & Gillett of getting rid of Rafa Just when momentum was building with daily articles in the Echo & the Times criticising them as well as articles elsewhere & even Sky showing Hicks' recent transfer spend claim to be a lie Now the papers (& the forums) are full of was Rafa a success or not & who should succeed him - they have very successfully shifted the debate I'm sure this played a part in their decision to get rid

apparently we interviewed him as well as Curbishley