GWistooshort

The Daily Mirror 22/05/10 Rafa Benitez makes his case for the defence: an exclusive interview by Guillem Balague Rafa Benitez has launched a passionate defence of his ­Liverpool record as he prepares to extend his stay at Anfield. The Liverpool chief, who arrived at the club in 2004 and led them to an incredible Champions League victory at the end of his first season, insists he does not deserve the increasingly hostile criticism his reign has received. When Liverpool won the FA Cup the following year Benitez became the first manager in the club’s history to win a trophy in each one of his first two seasons, and he says: “There is this legend that Liverpool hasn’t won many trophies, that we have failed in that aspect. Well, Chelsea and Manchester United have won 10 trophies in the six years I’ve been in Liverpool; Arsenal, Spurs and ­Portsmouth one. “Liverpool? Four trophies and we have played in three finals. Liverpool have been competitive”. Now he wants to fight on, taking the club as far as he can despite having smaller budgets than his rivals. Benitez revealed he feels his methods are misunderstood and his achievements underestimated during one of the toughest periods in the recent history of the club. He responded to ­accusations that he employs defensive or negative tactics, by pointing out his side has scored 61.8 goals per season in the league and an average of 97.5 in all competitions during his time at the club and asks: “Does Liverpool have to win the league, as everybody demands, every year?” Benitez added that in two of his six seasons at Anfield, their record points tally for a season has been broken. But the Spaniard has been reckons he has not always had as much control that he would have liked at the club. “Does the manager have absolute power in England?” said Benitez, “No, it depends on a budget and on the executive director that ­negotiates the signings of players. “And it depends on the money you have and the intelligence with which you operate in the market place. “Look at the wages picked up by the players on Chelsea or Manchester United’s substitutes bench: Obi Mikel, Owen, Kalou, Berbatov, Carrick could be on £4m a year! “When Portsmouth offered Peter Crouch more money than we were paying him and promised him a starting place, it became very ­complicated for us to keep hold of him. The arrival of Fernando Torres meant he couldn’t play as often at Liverpool.” Benitez has been accused of signing bad players, but an inability to compete with the game’s top spenders and a lack of funds meant he was unable to complete the ­signings of several players. Instead of Dani Alves, Florent Malouda, Jack Rodwell and Gareth Barry Liverpool often have often ended up with the manager’s back-up options. “That is always a risk when expectations and demands are so high” added Benitez. He also claims to have turned Liverpool into one of the most valuable sporting assets in the world. When he arrived, he was told the club was valued at £80million. According to the American owner’s asking price, it is now worth £500m. Likewise, the squad’s value has increased from £100m to £300m. “Some people say I have spent £280m,” said Benitez. “But we have spent £220m on players and generated £160m in player sales. That is the equivalent of a £60m net spend over six years: in other words, £10m spent per year. Deduct from that figure the £120m revenue from the Champions League success and qualification over that period, and we have in fact generated an additional £60m benefits for the club.” Benitez took control of the Anfield youth set-up only last year. He said: “Only four players from the Liverpool academy – Warnock, Gerrard, Owen and Carragher – from the last 13 years play in the Premier League. “We have spent £5m on young players in six years – Arsenal has spent £15m on Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey alone.” http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Exclusive-Rafa-Benitez-interview-by-Guillem-Balague-Liverpool-have-been-competitive-under-my-tenure-article433655.html

He said earlier this month that we were interested (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/arsenal/7684306/Marouane-Chamakh-I-turned-down-Tottenham-and-Liverpool-to-join-Arsenal.html), but has also said that his goal "was to join Arsenal out of all the English clubs" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8698112.stm)

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Barcelona-set-to-launch-70m-bid-for-Liverpool-star-Fernando-Torres-article431679.html

The agent of Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi claims we have watched him recently, along with several other clubs http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_6162961,00.html

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/18/liverpool-fc-boss-rafa-benitez-aims-to-land-best-of-british-100252-26466598/ Looks to me like his quotes when Shelvey was signed

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti is quoted in The Mirror this morning saying he expects Mourinho to leave....... “You never know with a volcanic character like Mourinho, because with him what you think will happen doesn’t always happen, but it would be a surprise now if he stayed." The article (which is written by Dave Maddock) says Inter want Rafa & "informal contact is already underway between the Spaniard’s agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, and Inter – and an [official] approach could follow as swiftly as next week." http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Rafa-Benitez-could-swap-Liverpool-for-Inter-Milan-article429927.html

Some encouraging stuff about Danny Wilson from Rangers teammate Nacho Novo "I think he will become a top-class centre-half - he is capable of anything, really. I think, wherever he goes, he will improve even more. If it's Liverpool, then obviously playing alongside top World Cup players in training like Fernando Torres, you learn even more and get on even better in the game." "I can see him as a Scotland captain of the future. Why not? He will definitely be one of the best centre-halves in Europe. He is a great player, a great defender. But not only that, with the ball at his feet and bringing it out of defence, he's fantastic as well and can play with a terrific left foot." "I remember the match in the Champions League in Romania. It was only his second game and, for a young boy of that age, he was brilliant, just fantastic. He had been training with us anyway and he seemed a quiet boy. But when he got the chance, he looked as if he had been playing in the first team with us for six years. " "He has shown already that he can play Champions League football, which is hard when you are so young, so why should he not be able to go to Liverpool and make an impact? It seems he already has the experience, as everyone can see." "He's a strong lad to play against for someone who is 18 years of age. He is the best young centre-half I have ever played with, definitely." "I just love him as a football player. He was just a quiet wee boy when he started training with us but you could see he had a lot of quality. He has been progressing very well and very quickly. He is a lovely person as well, he has the right personality. Danny is a quick learner. He is someone who has always loved to train, always wanted to play and is a great talent. The most important thing when you see young players come through is that they have their feet on the ground. Danny is like that, a good professional." "He has learned a lot from working alongside Davie Weir. Davie has just turned 40 and hasn't missed a single game in the league this season. That, I think, is a big example for young boys who need to see how to play 90 minutes at the weekend, then cope with going into the Champions League where there is intensity. I think Davie has been good for Danny and he will take those lessons learned into the rest of his career." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1278684/Danny-Wilson-destined-Euro-giant-Liverpool-says-Nacho-Novo.html

"Liverpool aren't taking Martin O'Neill away from us" Randy Lerner in an interview in The Independent on Sunday today http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fast-lerner-tips-villa-to-smash-glass-ceiling-1974535.html

From today's Daily Mail............... Barcelona's president-elect, Sandro Rosell, joins race to snap up Fernando Torres By Sportsmail Reporter Barcelona have joined the battle to sign Liverpool striker Fernando Torres. Sportsmail revealed that Chelsea and Manchester City had already expressed their desire to buy the £70million-rated Spaniard but now Sandro Rosell, the president-elect of Barcelona, has made contact with Torres’s representatives and has been encouraged by the response. Torres is reluctant to leave Liverpool but is concerned over speculation surrounding Rafa Benitez’s future as manager and the club’s transfer funding and ownership. It leaves Liverpool vulnerable to offers for the 26-year-old. But one factor in Liverpool’s favour is that current Barcelona president Joan Laporta plans to sign Valencia’s David Villa for £35m before the end of next week and that would make it difficult for his rival, Rosell, to splash out on Torres. Moves are afoot for Barcelona to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic to help offset spending but Chelsea and City have been approached, and their preference is Torres. Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has put his contract negotiations on hold until after the World Cup. The 25-year-old had been talking over a deal for three months. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1278504/Barcelonas-president-elect--Sandro-Rosell-joins-race-snap-Fernando-Torres.html

Fom Sky Sports website............. No Roma contact for Benayoun Agent expects midfielder to stay at Liverpool By Simone Bargellini 14th May 2010 Yossi Benayoun's agent has denied being contacted by Roma and expects the midfielder to stay at Liverpool. The Israel international recently fuelled speculation about his future by admitting that he did not know whether he would still be at Anfield next season. Roma are understood to be keeping tabs on Benayoun and his representative Ronen Katzav admits the interest is flattering. Katzav accepts that Benayoun would remain open-minded if his situation at Liverpool changed, but the agent does not foresee that happening. Benayoun is under contract with the Reds and has not been told that he is surplus to requirements so Katzav is reluctant to dwell on the transfer talk. "We weren't contacted by Roma," Katzav told forzaroma.info. "We know of an interest from Roma, but there was no contact. "Would Roma be a welcome destination? Yes, it couldn't be otherwise. "But to speak is useless because my client has a contract with Liverpool and he's good in England. "Nobody from the Reds has told me that Yossi is on the market, so I couldn't say how much his value is. "For now, the future of Benayoun is at Liverpool. If new scenarios open, we'll see in the summer." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_6154206,00.html

Liverpool Echo accuses Purslow of briefing against Rafa............ Liverpool Echo May 14 2010 Are ‘senior sources’ undermining Rafael Benitez at Anfield? by David Prentice RAFA BENITEZ often apologises for a faltering command of the English language. Utterly unnecessarily. Because his use of rhetorical irony in a cutting post-match press conference at Hull City last Sunday was almost Shakespearean. Six times the Reds boss used the phrase ‘senior sources’. That’s one more than Mark Antony used in turning a Roman crowd against the noble Brutus – his buzz phrase was “an honourable man” – and it was enough to give Reds fans even more cause for concern. Despite dispensing with one chief executive he couldn’t work with, Rafa still appears unable to form an open, trusting relationship with the Reds board. That was painfully transparent at the KC Stadium last Sunday. “If I stay, I am not thinking about selling Gerrard and Torres – just in case ‘senior sources’ say different things,” he muttered. He went on: “It depends. ‘Senior sources’ maybe will say different, but it has been the same in the history of football.” And there was more. Six separate references to ‘senior sources’ in fact, all of them heavily ironic. The inference is clear. The Liverpool manager thinks ‘senior sources’ at Liverpool are briefing the media against him. So is Rafa paranoid? Does he see shadows on grassy knolls? Or are there ‘senior sources’ out to get him? Of course Rafa himself could be the problem. His track record for falling out with senior executives at football clubs is impressive. Jesus Pitarch at Valencia, Rick Parry at Liverpool, George Gillett (although few would criticise him for picking that particular fight), and now un-named ‘senior sources.’ Maybe he’s a manager who thrives on creative tension. Or perhaps he is being undermined. As Rafa might say, let’s examine the ‘facts’. A story was ‘broken’ by the BBC on Tuesday May 4. “Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has cancelled two scheduled face-to-face meetings with the club’s new chairman, Martin Broughton,” ran the report. It inferred that Benitez was stalling for time while Juventus courted him. It certainly painted the Reds boss in a poor light. If Benitez was irritated so were we, because it appeared we’d ‘missed’ a juicy tale. Except it seems there was no ‘story’ to miss. A first meeting, scheduled for April 20, was called off because an unexpected cloud of volcanic ash spreading across Europe meant that Rafa Benitez had to spend 48 hours on a train with his players rather than two hours on a plane. No problem. No-one could have foreseen Mount Eyjafjallajökull erupting. The next meeting was scheduled for 24 hours before the visit of Chelsea – until Martin Broughton decided he wouldn’t be coming back to Merseyside for the Chelsea game because of his already publicised footballing allegiances. So no opportunity to squeeze a meeting in there then. Still no major problem, until the story on the BBC website, which spread in this internet age like a particularly vicious virus. Forgive me if I’m seeing shadows on grassy knolls now, but it looks like someone was briefing the Beeb against the Liverpool manager. And further scrutiny of the article shows it was someone inside the Anfield boardroom. “There is some surprise inside the Anfield boardroom at the timing of Benitez’s call on Tuesday for an urgent meeting with Broughton to discuss the future,” added the BBC story. There have been other ‘leaks.’ “It is known around Anfield that Christian Purslow has talked to Benítez about his style of management, notably his cold detachment from the players,” wrote the Daily Telegraph last November, adding: “Liverpool can afford to sack Benítez. Compensation would be less than £5 million under the ‘mitigating the loss’ principle if he found employment.” It doesn’t take a huge leap to work out where the Telegraph might have got their compensation figure from. That story and the BBC ‘revelation’ may not be linked. Liverpool board members have always spoken to the media – and even after foul-mouthed Tom junior’s resignation there are still several board members remaining. But board members who brief against a manager should beware. Remember Noel White? He spent 21 years at Anfield before falling on his sword for criticising Benitez in a newspaper article. At the time Benitez said: “The important thing is the club, and such things as this do not normally happen here. This is a big club and there is a way of doing things here.” That was four years ago. Has that way of doing things gone for good? It was Bill Shankly who effectively labelled Anfield directors as simply men who sign the cheques. Rightly or wrongly, that’s an image which has persisted. Even those Reds fans who want Rafa Benitez out have a huge well of emotion for the man, largely inspired by one emotional night in Istanbul. Any ‘senior sources’ inside Anfield who try to take him on will do so at their peril. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/14/are-senior-sources-undermining-rafael-benitez-at-anfield-100252-26443197/

Liverpool Echo May 14 2010 Liverpool FC Danny Wilson deal close as Rangers team-mate Madjid Bougherra wants to join him by James Pearce LIVERPOOL are closing in on a £2.5million deal for Danny Wilson and his Rangers team-mate Madjid Bougherra is hoping to join him at Anfield. Wilson, 18, has only one year remaining on his contract with the SPL champions and manager Walter Smith has admitted defeat in his battle to tie him down to a new deal. The young centre-back’s switch is likely to be confirmed when the transfer window reopens in June. Wilson has been a major hit in Scotland this season and recently claimed both the PFA and FWA Young Player awards. Bougherra is keen to return to the Premier League this summer and has made it clear Liverpool is his preferred destination. The former Charlton Athletic defender is currently with the Algeria squad at a training camp in Switzerland ahead of the World Cup finals in South Africa. His agent Farid Raayad claims Liverpool have expressed an interest in his services and if the Reds follow it up with an official approach then cash-strapped Rangers maybe forced to sell. “If a big team comes in and Rangers accept an offer for me that is destiny,” said Bougherra, who cost £2.5million from Charlton in July 2008. Wilson has paved the way for his switch south of the border by paying tribute to the roles played by former Everton duo Smith and David Weir in his development. Manager Smith gave him his first team debut back in October and 40-year-old defensive partner Weir has provided guidance during a dream campaign. “I’ve already admitted I would have been happy with just one appearance this season,” he said. “But I’ve played 24 matches, two of them being Champions League appearances, as well as making my Old Firm debut so I really couldn’t have asked for any more. “I owe Walter Smith a great deal of gratitude as he has shown a lot of faith in me. He could have easily changed things around, moving in players from other areas of the team as opposed to playing me. But he didn’t. He showed faith in me and that was fantastic. “Davie has also been brilliant with me. He is so calm on the field and you learn so much from training and playing beside him. Even during games, he never shouts or loses his composure. “If you maybe get under the ball, he will wait a couple of minutes and just mention your starting position or he’ll perhaps tell you that you should have cleared the ball first time. But he is always constructive and I can’t thank him enough.” Wilson has also played alongside Bougherra this season and is a big fan of the 27-year-old Algerian. “Boogie is another fantastic footballer,” he said. “I like to pass the ball out from defence, but I don’t have the ability to do what he does and run forward and stuff. “Playing with these guys and the rest of the team has been a fantastic education.” http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/14/liverpool-fc-danny-wilson-deal-close-as-rangers-team-mate-madjid-bougherra-wants-to-join-him-100252-26443225/

The Mirror have Inter in for Gerrard in a bid to persuade Mourinho to stay............. Inter plot Gerrard move to keep Mourinho By Neil McLeman Stevie Gerrard has been offered to Jose Mourinho in a bid to keep the Portuguese coach at Inter Milan next season. The ex-Chelsea boss is wanted by Real Madrid after the Champions League final. But Inter president Massimo Moratti has told Mourinho he will finance a summer spending spree to establish Inter Milan as the dominant force in European football to keep him. Luring Gerrard away from Liverpool, where he has grown increasingly unhappy under Rafa Benitez, is part of the plan. The England midfielder, who is also wanted by Manchester City, nearly moved to Stamford Bridge in 2005 and is a known admirer of Mourinho. But Mourinho hinted again he will be on his way this week when he said: "I love my players and my fans but I don't love Italian football. We will not talk about my future until at least May 23, that is not before the final in Madrid." Mourinho could even take Gerrard to Real Madrid if he does move to the Bernebeu as the biggest of the Galacticos. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Inter-Milan-plot-move-for-Liverpool-s-Steven-Gerrard-move-to-keep-Jose-Mourinho-at-the-club-article424687.html

More from Ancelotti on Torres ysterday............. "Me too, I would like to play with Torres, he's a very good player. But this is not an issue for today, he's a Liverpool player, a very good striker and we don't need another striker today." http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Chelsea-transfer-news-Carlo-Ancelotti-admits-he-would-like-to-sign-Liverpool-striker-Fernando-Torres-article424987.html

From The Independent yesterday........... Hodgson, who has been linked to the Liverpool job should Rafael Benitez quit, said that he would see out the final year of his contract. "As far as my future is concerned I haven't given it a moment's thought," he said. "I've been fully committed to Fulham as long as I've been here and always will be. I still have a contract at Fulham and as far as I'm concerned that's where I'll be [next season]. Hodgson, who has been linked to the Liverpool job should Rafael Benitez quit, said that he would see out the final year of his contract. "As far as my future is concerned I haven't given it a moment's thought," he said. "I've been fully committed to Fulham as long as I've been here and always will be. I still have a contract at Fulham and as far as I'm concerned that's where I'll be [next season]. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/hodgsons-epic-campaign-ends-but-his-fulham-journey-looks-far-from-over-1972367.html & this from Fulham director Michael Cole - "He is integral to the club, a very great manager. And as (club owner) Mohamed al Fayed has said, he's more than a manager - he's a very great human being. "We do think he will stay and I think he'll be at Fulham because essentially he has what every manager says he wants - a free hand and the confidence of the chairman. By and large he gets the support he requires in the way he wants it." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-expect-hodgson-to-stay-1972582.html

The Times are linking Man City with Hamsik today http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article7123361.ece

Milos Krasic's agent has said the player wants to leave CSKA, who have set a price of £15m, & that Bayern Munich have expressed the strongest interest with Man Utd 2nd. He says he has "heard of interest" from Liverpool among others, but we haven't been in contact with him or CSKA "yet this summer". Manchester United and Bayern Munich leading chase for £15m CSKA Moscow star Milos Krasic 12 May 2010 By Matt Monaghan Manchester United are battling with Bayern Munich to sign CSKA Moscow's £15 million-rated winger Milos Krasic, the player's agent revealed today. Bayern and United head a list of clubs including Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan who have sent scouts to watch the Serbian star in action. The 25 year-old's agent Dejan Joksimovic told Goal.com UK: "It is true that Milos is wanted by a number of the biggest clubs in Europe. At the moment Bayern are the first choice with United in second place." Joksimovic revealed that Bayern have stepped up their enquiries into the player with Franck Ribery expected to leave this summer - but he dreams of playing at Old Trafford, and turned down a move to big-spending Manchester City in January because of this. "The team that has expressed the strongest interest is Bayern Munich. Manchester United have also been interested throughout the season and the player dreams of a move to such a great club. "In January, he turned down Manchester City as he told me he wanted to move to a side of greater tradition and United are just that sort of club." The agent confirmed that any move will have to wait until after the World Cup as CSKA hope the star's value will shoot up during the competition. He stated that Bayern hold the advantage due to the presence of Krasic's "best friend" and the man who helped knock United out of the Champions League, Ivica Olic, at the Bavarian giants. "Krasic speaks no English and his best friend from their time at CSKA, Ivica Olic, would help him settle in Germany but that move depends on Franck Ribery's future. "I have also heard of interest from Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan but none have been in contact with either me or CSKA yet this summer. "He has told CSKA Moscow that he wants to change teams immediately, but they want to gamble on his price rising at the World Cup. Currently, I can tell you the price has been set at £15 million." Krasic will join up with international colleague Nemanja Vidic next week as Serbia begin their preparations for the tournament in South Africa. He enjoyed a breakthrough 2009 when he registered 13 goals in 40 appearances as CSKA finished fifth in the Russian Premier League. His skilfully-taken strike against United in the 3-3 Champions League Group Stage draw was the highlight of the Old Trafford meeting last November. Sir Alex Ferguson is on the lookout for a midfield spark as he chases a record-breaking 19th league title next season. Although mainly a right winger, Krasic is also comfortable in a free-role in central midfield. His ability to drift across the pitch has piqued the interest of Louis van Gaal as he assesses potential replacements for Ribery. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2565/exclusives/2010/05/12/1920200/manchester-united-and-bayern-munich-leading-chase-for-15m

The Guardian 12 May 2010 Rafael Benítez holds second round of talks on his Liverpool future Andy Hunter • Manager meets Martin Broughton to discuss transfer funds • Spaniard seeking guarantees before making decision Rafael Benítez has held confidential talks with Liverpool's chairman, Martin Broughton, over his future at Anfield. Photograph: Jed Leicester/Getty Images Rafael Benitez has held a second round of talks with the Liverpool chairman, Martin Broughton, as he seeks assurances that money will be available to revitalise the squad and challenge for a Champions League place next season. The Liverpool manager met the British Airways chairman, who has been installed to sell the club on behalf of its co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, at Anfield today. Both parties have agreed to keep their discussions confidential, although Benítez has said he wishes to continue as Liverpool manager providing the club can compete in the transfer market this summer. He wants guarantees that any money raised through player sales will be reinvested in the squad, even if those sums are inflated by the potential loss of their prize asset Fernando Torres. Juventus are still awaiting a definitive answer from Benítez having courted the Spaniard all year and have now turned their attentions towards Luigi Del Neri of Sampdoria and the Fiorentina coach, Cesare Prandelli. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/11/rafael-benitez-talks-liverpool-chairman

From the Sky Sports website................ Inter deny Benitez talks Serie A club adamant they are not seeking Mourinho replacement 11th May 2010 Inter Milan have rubbished reports they have approached Rafa Benitez or any other coach in view of Jose Mourinho's possible departure. Mourinho has yet to confirm whether he will remain at the helm of Inter next season, with the Portuguese coach a reported target of Real Madrid. Reports in the Italian media on Tuesday claimed Inter had joined Juventus in the race to tempt Liverpool boss Benitez to Serie A this summer. But Inter have denied the rumours, stressing that Mourinho is under contract for a further two years. The club said in a statement: "With regards to what has been reported today by several Italian media, FC Internazionale underlines that absolutely no contact has been made with coaches - of other clubs or national teams - given that the club has a contract with Jose Mourinho until 2012, and that everybody is focused exclusively on the team's important upcoming commitments." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_6147716,00.html

From the Mirror yesterday.................... It's less a question of should Gerrard go, but where should he go? By Martin Lipton Steven Gerrard has been here before, but it doesn't make the decision any easier. Manchester City are in the mood to be insistent, banging on the door with a £40million bid, which puts the onus firmly on the midfielder. Steven Gerrard ready to quit Liverpool - with Man City plotting £40million move Opportunity has knocked for Gerrard before of course, and he doesn't need the ghost of the late Hughie Green to tell him: "It's make your mind up time." But even if Gerrard feels this is the moment to break what had appeared an umbilical cord linking him to Liverpool, the bigger dilemma comes over where he should go. For a born and bred Scouser, the leaving of Liverpool is never easy. Yet while Eastlands sky blue would not be as unpalatable to the Anfield fans as Old Trafford red, the animosity levels that would follow should Gerrard succumb to the financial temptations dug out of the Abu Dhabi sands would still cause major ructions. What is clear, from the hangdog expressions and disbelieving looks Gerrard has sent towards the Liverpool dug-out with increasing regularity in recent months, is that his always fractious relationship with Rafa Benitez has now potentially reached the point of no return. Like Fernando Torres, Gerrard seems to have lost faith in Rafa the Gaffer, apparently ensuring it is a simple choice for the Anfield board. That choice seemed easier as Benitez made such obvious cow eyes in the direction of Juventus, his thoughts appearing to have switched from red to black and white. Yet Benitez's change of heart, signalled as he talked of his wish to stay at the club and move it forward, puts Gerrard in the position he would have preferred to avoid. As we all know, Gerrard was close to walking out of Liverpool - and heading to Stamford Bridge, in consecutive summers at the start of the Benitez reign. In 2004, with Jose Mourinho desperate to land him as part of his new look at Chelsea, Gerrard vacillated over the summer. Indeed, the effect it had on his form at Euro 2004 - Gerrard subsequently conceded his head had been all over the place - makes the prospect of another elongated saga one that will cause real concern for Fabio Capello. Having eventually turned his back on Chelsea, the idea of Gerrard ending his Liverpool career would have seemed unthinkable, especially after his inspirational display transformed what was set for a night of humiliation in Istanbul into the greatest Champions League comeback of all-time. Yet within six weeks of that astonishing Turkish evening, Gerrard and Benitez were at daggers drawn again. This time even Liverpool believed there was no preventing Gerrard going, with a deal struck at £32million. Anfield chief executive Rick Parry had set off for the ground ready to complete the fine print, only to receive the anguished telephone call from Gerrard in which the midfielder revealed he had decided he simply could not go through with what had been deemed as act of desertion. But five years on, with Liverpool no nearer that elusive first title since 1990 and player and manager no longer singing from the same hymn-sheet, the situation is very different. For many Liverpool fans, Gerrard remains the symbol of the club, a player who lives and breathes the spirit of Anfield. For them, his departure is unthinkable. Yet the unthinkable is being thought about. And now the question for Gerrard seems not so much if he should leave, but where he should go. Real Madrid, with Mourinho poised to move to the Bernabeu from Inter, have already began their normal summer game. Moving to Spain would be a big jump, although Gerrard could turn to Steve McManaman, David Beckham and Michael Owen for advice on what it takes to play for the White House. Yet in some ways, it would be a far easier transfer for Gerrard to sell to the Liverpool fans than jumping 30-odd miles down the road to City. After all, Real have everything - glamour, history, a sense of purpose, guaranteed Champions League football and a two-way battle for the domestic crown with Barcelona. City, by contrast, can offer only a vision, a dream - albeit one backed by shedloads of dosh. More crucially, perhaps, is Gerrard's knowledge that a move to Spain would see him viewed as taking a brave gamble by testing himself in unfamiliar waters, whereas accepting the City offer would carry the risk of him being branded a mercenary. Gerrard is not that. His pride in Liverpool and himself transcends financial reward. This, however, is the biggest decision he will ever be asked to make. This is it, the final call, the last chance to leave. Red to white seems the easier option. But Sky Blue is the colour of money. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/laptop-martin-lipton/Why-it-s-less-a-question-of-should-Liverpool-s-Steven-Gerrard-go-but-where-should-he-go-Martin-Lipton-s-big-lunchtime-read-article421339.html

The Press Association says Rafa used the phrase "senior sources" half a dozen times in his post-match comments including this one, which I don't think has been posted on here yet. Asked if he deserved another chance after such a dismal season, Benitez added: "It depends. 'Senior sources' maybe will say different but it has been the same in the history of football." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/benitez-wants-time-to-correct-liverpool-mistakes-1970337.html

The Times today reckon Rafa has decided to stay & fight for his future so Liverpool will have to sack him if they want him to leave http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7121305.ece

The Observer today says Wilson will travel to Merseyside within 48 hours to discuss personal terms for a £2.5m move to Liverpool. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/09/liverpool-rangers-danny-wilson

Sky Sports website say we are keeping tabs on Steve McClaren http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_6141507,00.html The Sunday Mail reckons Inter Milan will be after Rafa if Mourinho leaves http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1275568/Inter-Milan-join-race-Liverpool-manager-Rafa-Benitez--Jose-Mourinho-leaves.html The NOTW says Roy Hodgson has issued a come & get me plea to Liverpool http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/808704/HODGSON-DROPS-LIVERPOOL-HINT.html