SEPTEMBER 1
Parry: It's not all doom and gloom

By Paul Eaton - LFC Official Website

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry today insisted there are plenty of reasons to be positive about the season despite no new faces arriving on deadline day.

Parry admits he was disappointed not to be able to strengthen the squad yesterday but ultimately the club weren't prepared to pay inflated prices for the sake of it.

A deal for Benfica winger Simao had been agreed before the Portuguese champions had a change of heart, demonstrating that it was circumstances and not finances which led to a day of frustration at Anfield.

"We don't believe it should be all doom and gloom. There isn't a club which hasn't suffered disappointments in the transfer market, so we're no different," said Parry.

"The big danger, particularly when you're approaching the deadline, is you get desperate and do the wrong deal. You have to hold your nerve and we decided not to pursue certain targets in the end yesterday. We have a lot of faith in the players we have.

"We have brought in most of the players we wanted. Let's not forget we've spent £20m to bring in Pepe Reina, Momo Sissoko, Peter Crouch and Bolo Zenden. They are four top players.

"We have spent the same amount we spent in 2002 when we bought just three players, so lack of money has not been an issue here. We also had a deal for Simao which would have taken us well beyond what we'd spent then.

"We've enjoyed a pretty good summer in the transfer market. There's been a substantial outlay.

"If you compare last August to this, we have spent heavily on strikers, as Jamie Carragher has pointed out today.

"We didn't leave things too late because the deals we wanted were completed early during the summer and at that stage we were content we'd achieved four out of four on our list of targets. That left us looking for a right midfielder and cover for Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia at centre-half.

"I think our problem finding a right midfielder began when Luis Figo decided not to come. Things were progressing well with that deal and we were hopeful. Had he joined us, we wouldn't have been in the situation we were."

He added: "It's never ideal trying to do business on the last day because things can go wrong and then there's no room to manoeuvre.

"Yesterday was a strange day. We had an agreement with Benfica but when the story leaked there was such a strong reaction they felt they couldn't sell. Simao was sitting on a plane waiting to come for his medical, but Benfica called it off. In a way, it was similar to the Steven Gerrard situation here when Chelsea were interested.

"It was disappointing but there is nothing we could do. Had the deal broken down on June 30, perhaps there wouldn't be such doom and gloom because you know there's time to find someone else. That's not the case on deadline day.

"Rafa is philosophical about the situation. He insisted we didn't pay for players who weren't worth the money. We could have signed centre-halves yesterday, but there was no point wasting money for the sake of it.

"He is sure we are better placed to challenge for the top places this season. We want to push on from last season and we are still confident we have the players to do it.

"We haven't got 100 per cent of our targets, but which top club in the world ever gets everything it wants. We've done pretty well. It was a strange contrast between European success and disappointment in the Premiership.

"Have we got a better squad to do well in all competitions this season? Rafa's answer to this is yes."

AUGUST 31
Simao deal collapses

By Mark Buckingham - Sky Sports

Benfica have pulled the plug on Simao Sabrosa's proposed move to Liverpool.

The Portugal international appeared primed to join the European champions after passing a medical earlier on Wednesday.

Simao had been allowed to leave Portugal's training camp to finalise his switch to Anfield, with The Reds due to pay €15 million (£10 million) for the wide man.

But Benfica have backed out of the deal at the 11th hour, to leave Liverpool frustrated in their efforts to bring in a right winger.

The reason for the failure to conclude a deal was a change in Benfica's demands as they wanted €20 million (£13.6 million), while The Reds only went as far as €18 million (£12.3 million).

Benfica were reluctant to lose their captain, despite the enormity of Liverpool's bid, and Simao will now stay in Lisbon.

Simao had returned to the Portuguese squad's training headquarters in the early evening fully expecting the final details of his transfer to Liverpool to be completed.

Instead, Simao will have to concentrate on the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in the knowledge a move to The Premiership has collapsed.

AUGUST 31
Simao possibility for Liverpool

ITV Football

Simao Sabrosa appears set to join Liverpool from Benfica after the Portuguese Football Federation gave permission for the forward to undergo a medical for the Anfield side.

The 25-year-old will return to Portugal later today to rejoin the national side as they prepare for Saturday's World Cup qualifying game against Luxembourg.

Simao joined Benfica in the summer of 2001 after a two-year spell at Barcelona, with reports suggesting a move would cost Liverpool £10million.

The Portuguese Football Federation announced on their website that they have authorised the player to travel to Liverpool for the medical.

Simao came through the Sporting Lisbon youth system before moving to Barcelona in a 10million euros deal in 1999.

After two campaigns in Spain, he returned to his homeland with Benfica, who he helped to win the 2004 Portuguese Cup and last season's Superliga title.

He made his debut for Portugal in 1998 but was not included in the country's Euro 2000 squad and missed the World Cup two years later through injury.

Simao did play for his national team when they hosted Euro 2004 and finished runners-up to Greece.

The federation said in a statement on Wednesday: "The Benfica forward Simao Sabrosa has been authorised to be temporarily absent from national team training to travel to Liverpool so he can undergo a medical.

"The national team coach (Luiz Felipe Scolari) accepted the player's request and it's expected that the Portuguese international will return later this afternoon in time to begin training at 1730."

AUGUST 26
Parry admits Liverpool want Owen

BBC Sport Online

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has finally admitted they do want to bring Michael Owen back to Anfield.

Boss Rafael Benitez has been low-key on constant speculation linking the England striker with a return from Real Madrid after only 12 months.

Newcastle have agreed a club record deal of about £17m, but 25-year-old Owen prefers a move back to Liverpool.

"It's not a no or a yes - there has been plenty of speculation and we will see next week," said Parry.

And Parry is pleased that Owen has publicly stated his preference for a move to Liverpool, despite Newcastle's determined efforts to do a deal.

He said: "We are always encouraged when players say they want to join Liverpool."

And Parry also dismissed suggestions a deal was being inspired from inside Liverpool's boardroom rather than by manager Benitez.

He said: "I want to stress there has never been a split between us or Rafa about Michael or any other players."

Liverpool, having sold Milan Baros to Aston Villa for £6.5m, may attempt to make room for Owen by selling Djibril Cisse, with both Monaco and Marseille interested.

Newcastle had hoped to persuade Owen to sign, but he made it clear he only wanted to join on loan - if Liverpool did not make a move.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd gave Owen a deadline of Thursday to agree to move, but it appears he is doomed to failure.

"There is not much more we can do. We are waiting to hear from Owen and his adviser," Shepherd explained.

"But it has to happen today or it's not going to happen at all, and we will be speaking to Michael's people."

BBC Sport understands Liverpool are not willing to pay more than the £8m Real splashed out to land Owen last summer.

They are expected to reveal their hand after Friday's Super Cup game with CSKA Moscow on Friday but the player would have to take a pay cut to persuade Liverpool to do business.

AUGUST 23
Benitez moves in for Stelios

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

Greek winger Stelios Giannakopoulos is in Liverpool's sights after the Reds made an official approach to Bolton.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has declined the chance to bring Nolberto Solano to Anfield as part of the £6.5m Milan Baros transfer, and has turned to Greek midfielder Stelios for a bargain £1m.

Baros completed his transfer to Villa today, providing more funds for Benitez to strengthen other areas.

Benitez has tracked Stelios all summer as he seeks to increase his options on the right flank.

With deadline day looming, that interest has now materialised into an approach with the Greek having a get-out clause in his contract should Bolton receive a £1m bid.

Benitez's intentions in the transfer market are now taking shape.

He's confirmed his interest in Bundesliga pair Fernando Meira of Stuttgart and Lukas Sinkiewicz of Colgone. And he is also considering 20-year-old Dane Daniel Agger. Who arrives depends on their fee, with Agger currently priced beyond Benitez ' s valuation.

Liverpool want to sign a minimum of three players. With the right midfielder identified, and the defender likely to be one of the three listed, the attention will switch to the forward line.

Michael Owen dominates the agenda, but he now knows he faces a rival in Dirk Kuyt if the current stalemate continues.

Benitez openly admits his interest in the Feyenoord striker, but a move for the Dutchman is only likely if no progress is made with Owen over the next few days.

Contrary to ludicrous rumours, Benitez is under no pressure to complete a deal for Owen from chairman David Moores.

Nor will the chairman be dipping into his own bank account to finance a deal against Benitez's will.

The suggestion Benitez would yield to any boardroom interference when it comes to transfer targets is nonsensical, particularly as this was one of the reasons behind his departure from Valencia.

The delay has more to do with a delicate negotiation than any unwilling-ness on the manager's part.

Liverpool hope, as the transfer deadline approaches, Owen's fervent desire to return to Anfield will become clearer and Real Madrid will be realistic about an affordable deal.

Benitez today reassured Liverpool fans he's making progress in bringing the right players to the club.

"I'm not anxious about the situation," said Benitez today..

"I know when the end of the transfer window approaches there is a lot of anxiety, but I have a clear idea. When the right players come along, we'll sign them. If we can't, we will wait.

"However, we are confident we will find the right players. Our scout department is doing a good job and they have worked really hard for us. We have the names and we would like to bring some of them here."

AUGUST 22
Rafa weighs up Meira swoop

By Mark Buckingham - Planet Football/Sky Sports

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has hinted at an interest in Stuttgart defender Fernando Meira.

Benitez is looking to sign a centre half before the close of the transfer window and has been linked with a string of names.

Meira has been added to the possible list of targets, with Brondby's Daniel Agger and Marseille's Abdoulaye Meite other potential recruits.

Portugal international Meira recently rejected the chance to join Schalke and insists he is happy to stay at Stuttgart, where he is under contract until 2007.

When quizzed on the links, Benitez alluded to an interest in Meira, although he appeared to rule out a swoop for Meite.

"I have read in the press good information today about two centre backs," said Benitez.

"It's true we are checking these players. We are talking about the players, and after that the money, but if we talk in the press about the players, the price increases.

"I read today two good names but I don't want to talk about them."

Upon being asked if the duo played for Stuttgart and Marseille, Benitez replied: "One maybe Stuttgart, that's true, but the other one is another club.

"I think someone has good information yeah."

Benitez again refuted suggestions he wants to bring Michael Owen back to Anfield and is looking to keep Djibril Cisse at the club.

Cisse is wanted by Marseille but Benitez is not considering the France international's sale as he mulls over offers from Aston Villa and Lyon for Milan Baros.

He added: "Cisse and Baros now, at this moment, are our players, they can play.

"With Cisse there is nothing to talk about because he will play and be our player.

"Baros now we have offers from other teams. People talk about a loan but we are not interested in this.

"We have two offers and we have to decide.

"We need to sign a right winger and sign a centre back. There are a lot of names and more possibilities. A lot of agents are now offering us players."

AUGUST 19
Benitez quells Owen talk

By Mark Buckingham - Planet Football/Sky Sports

Rafa Benitez has once again rejected rumours he is planning to bring Michael Owen back to Liverpool as the Reds boss considers offers for Milan Baros.

Former Liverpool favourite Owen is being strongly linked with a return to Anfield after being granted permission to speak to other clubs.

Newcastle United want to sign the England ace, while reports in Spain persist that Liverpool are in the hunt.

Benitez has frequently denied speculation he is chasing Owen and has reiterated his stance that he does not require a new striker.

Instead, Benitez is close to shipping Baros out of his squad, with Lyon and Aston Villa both lodging bids for the Czech Republic international.

Baros will remain in contention to play for The Reds while Benitez mulls over the offers, and the Spanish coach also scotched talk of fielding any enquiries for Djibril Cisse.

"I was waiting for [a question about] Baros, maybe another one about Owen and maybe about Cisse," said Benitez.

"Baros we don't have news on. We have a good offer from Olympique Lyon and another one from Aston Villa.

"We must analyse both and while we analyse he will be playing for us.

"About Owen and Cisse there is no news. Cisse is our player and I can assure you we are looking for a centre back, not a centre forward.

"When I read the Spanish press I smile as we have not made an offer [for Owen] and are only thinking about the centre back position."

As part of Villa's bid to sign Baros, there have been suggestions that Benitez wants Nolberto Solano to be included as a makeweight.

Villa boss David O'Leary revealed Liverpool's interest in the Peruvian but Benitez insists he has not made a bid for the winger.

He added: "I only read the news and see on the TV they rejected our offer for Solano. We have not made any offer for Solano.

"We are only talking about Milan and are waiting for a good price."

O'Leary has again clarified his desire to keep Solano at Villa Park and the Irishman cooled talk that he is tracking Juventus forward Fabrizio Miccoli.

"No one has spoken to me about Nobby going to Liverpool," said O'Leary. "Obviously, I do not want to lose him as I'm already short of players.

"Instead, I'm hoping that we might see some new players before the deadline, although I see my name mentioned with a player in Italy but that is news to me."

AUGUST 15
Missing Owen would be a nightmare

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

Steven Gerrard today admitted it would be a 'nightmare' if Michael Owen joins any Premiership club but Liverpool before the transfer deadline.

The Anfield skipper is making no secret of his desire to be reunited with the striker as speculation surrounding the Real Madrid star reaches fever pitch.

Liverpool remain Owen's chosen destination, although there are several hurdles to overcome to make it happen.

Newcastle have muddied the waters, reducing the prospects of an initial loan deal by vowing to outbid any Premier-ship rivals, despite being told Owen doesn't want to go to St James' Park..

Gerrard is hoping Owen's preference to rejoin his old club will prove decisive.

"It goes without saying I would love Michael Owen back here and think everyone at the club would love him back," Gerrard told the ECHO.

"Obviously it's up to Real Madrid. He's their player and they'll decide if he can go, but when I see Michael in the England squad this week I won't even have to ask him where he'd like to be in a few weeks.

"I'm waking up every morning, looking in the papers and hoping to read he's on his way here. Could you imagine him coming back to Anfield and scoring against us for another club? It would be a nightmare.

"Whoever signs him guarantees themselves 20 goals and, in my opinion, the best striker in the league."

AUGUST 13
Reds re-open door for Owen

By Dominic Fifield and Michael Walker - The Guardian

Liverpool's initially intransigent stance over the possibility of re-signing Michael Owen has shifted, though serious obstacles would still have to be overcome if they are to bring the England striker back to Anfield even on a long-term loan basis.

While Rafael Benítez's priority remains to strengthen other areas of the team he has been convinced, not least by figures within the Anfield boardroom, that a move for Owen might yet be beneficial. The 25-year-old is resigned to leaving Real Madrid and is understood to favour a return to Liverpool, where he scored 158 times in 297 appearances before moving to the Bernabéu a year ago for £8m.

The European champions are exploring the possibility of bringing him back to Anfield initially on a 12-month loan with a view to a permanent transfer next summer, when Liverpool would hope to have the funds more readily available to complete his £10m signing. Real were initially reluctant to consider a temporary transfer, though they could be swayed by a guarantee that the move will be cemented next year.

Yet much still hinges both on Owen being willing to accept a cut - albeit slight - in his £90,000-a-week salary, and on Liverpool's ability to sell Milan Baros to free up a striking berth. Aston Villa, Lyon and Monaco remain the Czech's main suitors, though no club has matched the Champions League winners' £7m valuation. Until Baros moves on, Owen's hopes of a return to Merseyside will be frustrated.

Benitez confirmed yesterday that he hoped to spend any money generated by the Czech's sale on "a centre-half and a right winger".

"We'll need to use the money for the priorities we have," he said. "But Michael Owen is a good player, so I can't say no. I don't know at this moment if we can do something about the strikers because we are waiting on a good offer for Milan. If we don't get that offer then we can't do anything about it. Milan wants to play more games and that would be difficult for him here."

Owen is still the subject of interest from Newcastle, though the likelihood is that he would only contemplate moving to St James' Park should no other offers materialise as the transfer deadline approaches.

"He knows how big this football club is, how passionate it is," said Graeme Souness. "I'm sure he looks at our midfield and thinks he would be supplied with goals. I would assume Michael is very much aware that he has to be playing this year. I think the possibility of the bench in Madrid would not be very appealing to him, especially in a World Cup year."

AUGUST 7
Benitez spell is out for Liverpool

Sporting Life

Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool will be challenging the top three for the Premiership this season.

As the Liverpool boss prepares his side for a week in which they will be defending their European crown and returning to Premiership action after last term's disappointing fifth-place finish, he has mapped out the club's and his own targets for the coming campaign.

Benitez's side finished an embarrassing 37 points behind champions Chelsea last term and he said: "I don't know how much closer we can get, but I am confident we will not be so far behind.

"I think the title race could be more open this year with the top three plus ourselves and maybe another club all challenging."

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.tv, he added: "It's not going to be easy to close a 37-point gap in one season but we will be closer this time.

"Chelsea enjoyed one of the best-ever Premiership seasons last year but if we improve, and if Arsenal and Manchester United improve, then I'm sure we'll all be closer to them."

But before Liverpool open their league campaign at Middlesbrough on Saturday, they face a tough Champions League third qualifying round first leg away to CSKA Sofia.

And Benitez accepts the two-pronged targets now from the Anfield fans. He said: "I know the history of our club and I understand what winning the Champions League meant to our fans. But I also know we must do much better in the Premiership because this is also important to the fans.

"There will be more expectation on us to do better in the league and we must live up to that.

"I still have things to prove to people in England. I came here to win trophies over five or even 10 years, not just to win the Champions League. Part of my dream is one day to win the Premiership.

"I am not saying we will win it this season because you can never say such things in football but I can promise the fans we will work even harder than we did last year and we will do better."

Liverpool only managed 17 victories in 38 league games last season. Benitez said: "I am confident we will win more games both at home and away because we have a better squad and a better team.

"Over the next nine months we'll be able to use different players for different games and that will help us."

AUGUST 2
Liverpool reap rewards from summer rebuilding

By Ian Doyle - Daily Post

Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool's positive pre-season is proof they are already reaping the rewards of his summer squad rebuilding.

The European Cup holders continue the defence of their crown this evening when they entertain FBK Kaunas in the second leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie.

Liverpool take a 3-1 lead into the match after a first leg in Lithuania last week that extended their unbeaten pre-Premiership run, following a routine dismissal of Welsh minnows TNS Llansantffraid in the previous round and friendly victories over Wrexham, Bayer Leverkusen and Olympiakos.

And rather than worry about the possible side-effects of such an early start to the competitive campaign, Benitez has chosen to highlight how the increased strength in depth to his playing staff has allowed him to shuffle his pack while avoiding any major setbacks.

"I do not think this pre-season will affect our Premiership campaign," says the Liverpool manager. "It has been a bit different this summer. We know that the official games are more important than the friendlies, so we have had to change the team around.

"But if you have a strong squad you can play all the games with a good team, so I do not think it is a problem for us.

"It is not a problem to me that we are playing all these games so close together. We are doing the right preparation for the Champions League games. We can manage the players more efficiently now because we have a bigger squad.

"Having a better squad than last season means I can rest players like Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso. I have more options, all of them at a good level."

Gerrard has been the star performer in the Champions League campaign thus far, scoring six goals in just three games.

And Benitez insists the end of the debate over the midfielder's future has helped him raise his level, saying: "Everyone can see in the European qualification games that Steven is now happy.

"He will play a major role for us, he can score, pass and work hard, and he is very important to us now. I am convinced that we are already a better team than last season."

Benitez hopes his squad will be swelled even further before the end of the week, with the deadline to sign players for the final Champions League qualifying round passing at midnight on Thursday.

While the manager is chasing a right-sided midfielder, it is enlisting a new centre-back as cover for Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher that is the more pressing concern. Deportivo La Coruna's Jorge Andrade remains the preferred option, with Daniel Alves of Sevilla among the alternatives.

But Benitez concedes the issue of dealing with club, player and his representatives is slowing the process of securing new arrivals.

"We have some names for a centre-back," says the Spaniard. "Maybe sometimes we have a clear idea with the club and the player but then the agent comes in and that makes things difficult.

"We could have an agreement with someone in the next five days or it could be the next 15 days. I don't know. But we are watching some players.

"It will be better to have a centre-back who can play in the Champions League. But if he can only play in the Premier-ship then that is fine. We need someone, though.

"I want to bring someone in before the start of the season if possible but I will not rush into it just because the matches are coming. If we are made to wait, then we will wait.

"Money is not a problem. The problem is trying to find the players who can join us. That is the first thing, identifying the players. Then after that we can talk about money.

"We do not have to sell Milan Baros to sign new players. But it's important that we qualify for the Champions League as we know that it gives us more possibilities."

Peter Crouch is expected to make his Anfield debut this evening following his £7million move from Southampton.

The tall striker impressed during his bow in Kaunas last week where he showed signs of forging a partnership with Djibril Cisse.

And of the French striker, Benitez says: "I am happy with how Djibril has done. He is in the same situation as the other forwards in that he needs to improve in pre-season and he is improving.

"It is a possibility that we could use him on the right wing. I did the same thing with John Carew at Valencia. It means you can play with another striker in the team and he can get into the box more.

"All the forwards have done well at times when they have played in the games so far this pre-season. We have scored goals in all the games." Benitez adds: "After the start of the season we will see how we are doing and whether we can fight for the title.

"We want to fight for the Premiership. We want to go for all of the trophies. We will not say one trophy is more important than the other because we now have a squad that can challenge in all competitions."

Thor Zakariassen ©