JULY 11
Benitez is quick to rule out talk of rift

By David Prior - Daily Post Staff

Rafael Benitez has sought to draw a line under the Steven Gerrard transfer saga by dismissing talk of a rift with his captain.

Gerrard ended a turbulent week on Merseyside in triumphant style, hoisting the European Cup once again prior to Liverpool's 4-3 friendly win over Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground.

In the wake of his extraordinary U-turn last week, the 25-year-old had admitted his relationship with Benitez "could be better" and there was also talk of training ground bust-ups and heated discussions between the pair.

Benitez has now rubbished those claims, however, although he has admitted he will be looking to improve relations with Gerrard now the midfielder's long-term future is finally resolved.

"They were lying," the manager said of the bust-up speculation. "They were trying to find a problem between him, me and the club.

"When the newspapers claimed we were fighting on the training pitch, I was actually in my office.

"The relationship between us is good and if it is possible now we will try to make it better. When the captain says he wants to go, then as a manager you try and resolve the situation.

"As a manager you try to work with your players, so if you have a player as good as Gerrard why would I want to fight with him?

Benitez firmly believes the uncertainty surrounding Gerrard is now over.

He added: "Now my relationship with Steven is good - with my wife it is better!

"We have always talked together, but when people are talking about his future, it is difficult to talk with him about that. Now we only need to talk about football.

"After talking with him and analysing the situation, I think the uncertainty is now over. He is happy."

JULY 9
Liverpool clinch Sissoko signing

BBC Sport Online

Liverpool have snatched £5m Valencia midfielder Mohamed Sissoko from under the noses of city rivals Everton.

The 20-year-old Mali international was a target of Toffees boss David Moyes, who tried to sign him and team-mate Emiliano Moretti in a double deal.

But the deal foundered this week when the Spanish side insisted on a buy-back clause in Sissoko's contract.

That allowed Reds boss Rafa Benitez, who took Sissoko to Valencia in 2003, to sign him subject to a medical.

Benitez said: "Mohammed is a young central midfielder who plays a high-energy game with a high tempo.

"He's young, he's not bad on the ball and he will improve the balance of our team in the middle.

"He's had two good years with Valencia where he has won trophies. I know him well and he's a very good player."

JULY 8
Reds beat Toffees to Sissoko

By Francisco Acedo - Planet Football/Sky Sports

Skysports.com understands that Liverpool have succeeded in hijacking Everton's move for Valencia star Mohamed Sissoko.

The Mali international midfielder had seemed poised to join Everton after The Toffees had thrashed out a €7.4 million deal with their Spanish counterparts.

Sissoko was preparing to fly to Goodison Park to put the finishing touches to the deal, but, as had been predicted in some quarters, Liverpool have sneaked in and trumped their Merseyside rivals with a counter-offer.

Rafa Benitez is a confirmed admirer of the 20-year-old having signed him for Valencia two years' ago from Auxerre.

The Reds boss submitted an €8 million offer for the African and Sissoko has decided that a move to Anfield is more appealing.

His agent Jose Segui confirmed the news, telling skysports.com: "Valencia have taken the decision (to sell to Liverpool) and Momo is happier now."

Sissoko is expected to sign a four-year contract with Liverpool and should arrive in England early next week for a medical.

JULY 8
Parry confirms Figo interest

By Peter ORourke - Planet Football/Sky Sports

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has confirmed the club are interested in Luis Figo.

The Reds are reported to be leading the chase for the Real Madrid winger as he looks set to leave the Spanish capital.

The Portuguese international is considering a move away from Real after dropping down the pecking order at El Santiago Bernabeu.

Figo, who reported back for pre-season training on Friday with Real, is believed to have held talks with Liverpool over a possible move to Anfield.

A deal is believed to have been placed in doubt by Real's insistence that Liverpool pay a fee for Figo after initially suggesting they would let the winger leave on a free transfer.

Parry has admitted bringing Figo to the European champions is a possibility after agreeing new deals for Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

"It has been an up and down week, mainly up this week," Parry told Sky Sports News.

When asked about the possible signing of Figo Parry added: "No not at moment we will see what happens over the next few days.

"It's a possibility there."

For his part, Real boss Wanderley Luxemburgo has hinted he is ready to show Figo the door if he is not prepared to settle for a role as a squad member.

The Portuguese star made his unhappiness clear last term when he found himself regularly named amongst the substitutes towards the back-end of the campaign.

Luxemburgo revealed he would have no problem showing any player the door if they were not committed to Real cuase.

"Just like (Michael) Owen, Figo has a contract and they need to be here," Luxemburgo stated.

"If they are going to play or not is another story, but they are Real Madrid players.

"Anyone who is only here to play can go. If you are here it is to be as part of the squad.

"If they are not interested in that they should tell the club and they will decide."

Meanwhile, Reds supremo Parry also played down speculation that Liverpool were closing in on the signature of Southampton's Peter Crouch.

The Reds have already had one bid rejected for the England international and are thought to have increased their bid for the player.

However, Parry insists there is no new news on Crouch saying: "No, there is nothing there (with Crouch)."

JULY 8
Duo pen new Reds deals

By Paul Higham - Sky Sports

Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have both signed new four-year deals at Liverpool.

After a tumultuous week at Anfield, The Reds are to end it all with a double boost as their two stars of last season commit their long-term futures to the club.

Rafa Benitez has been busy bringing in new faces to the club, but his two home-grown stars will form the basis of his squad for years to come.

Gerrard's well-documented saga has finally ended on a high note for the European champions and the double boost will give the squad and the fans a huge lift.

Both the skipper and the defensive stalwart have penned new four-year deals that tie them to the club until 2009.

Reds chief executive Rick Parry has been at the heart of the contract negotiations, with many believing he had played a major role in keeping Gerrard at the club, and he was delighted with the news.

"We're delighted to have agreed the deals for both Steven and Jamie today," said Parry.

Carragher's future has never been in doubt and he has now set his sights on the only medal missing from both his and Gerrard's personal trophy cabinet - The Premiership crown.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have agreed this new contract," said Carragher.

"This is the best club in the world with the best fans, so I'm very proud to be a Liverpool player for the next four years and hopefully even longer.

"We've had some fantastic times recently and winning the Champions League was the biggest achievement of my career.

"Now we've done that, all of us have got that hunger to bring even more success to the club.

"Both Stevie and Didi mentioned in interviews recently how they have won every medal except one since 2001.

"I'm in the same situation. Now we're going to make winning the Premiership title our top priority.

"The manager has been working hard to strengthen the squad and he's as determined as anyone to make sure there's a big improvement in our league form.

"I'm sure we're going to go from strength to strength under Rafa Benitez and I'm delighted he sees me as an important player over the next four years. There's nowhere else I want to be."

JULY 8
Liverpool receive transfer inquiry

Kop Talk

Spanish outfit Celta Vigo have made an inquiry regarding the availability of Liverpool midfielder Antonio Nunez.

Nunez was signed as part of the deal that saw Michael Owen join Real Madrid but he failed last season to make much of a positive impact.

In fairness his pre-season was wrecked due to injury and although most supporters aren't that keen on him, we actually have a bit of a soft spot for the lad as you can see that he gives 100%, it's just that his 100% hasn't been good enough just yet.

He's shown glimmers of skill so we'd like to see him given another season but if he has to go, we won't lose any sleep over it.

JULY 7
Reds out to hijack Sissoko transfer

By David Prentice - Liverpool Echo

Liverpool are set to hijack Everton's swoop for Mali midfielder
Mohammed Sissoko.

And in a crushing double blow for the Blues, Craig Bellamy has agreed to sign for Blackburn.

The Reds made an offer for Sissoko last night, after boss Rafa Benitez was alerted by Everton's interest in a player he had under his wing at Valencia. And the Blues fear that they could now miss out.

They also look set to miss out on Bellamy, who has agreed a flexible one-year deal with Blackburn - which allows him a getout clause if he is not happy with Rovers' progress at the end of the season.

Given the terms of the transfer, the Blues may not be too disappointed to miss out on the striker. But boss David Moyes will be devastated to lose Sissoko to the Reds.

The Blues thought they had a 5m euro deal wrapped up early this week. But Liverpool's interest has caused the player and his club to think again.

Everton still hope they can persuade both Sissoko and Italian left-back Emiliano Moretti to move to Goodison. But they will now have to rely on Moyes persuading the player that his opportunities for first team football would be much greater at Goodison than Anfield.

Benitez brought Sissoko to Spain from Auxerre as a teenager, paying a 1m euro compensation fee. And he has tracked his progress since he became Liverpool boss last summer.

A highly versatile performer who has played up front for Mali and right-back much of last season, Sissoko is rated as one of the most promising midfield talents in Europe and is still only 20.

JULY 7
Benitez agrees terms for Figo

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

Liverpool have agreed terms with Portuguese superstar Luis Figo - but the deal is on ice because Real Madrid have suddenly demanded a £2m transfer fee.

Figo secured a verbal agreement with the Spanish giants saying he could leave on a free if he found the right club.

But having concluded negotiations with the Reds, the 32-year-old midfielder is now livid with Real's u-turn. They now want a fee for his services.

Liverpool won't proceed with the transfer if they have to pay the Spanish club.

As the Figo deal faces deadlock, Benitez is edging closer to securing the services of Southampton's Peter Crouch and Valencia's Mohammed Sissoko.

No fee has been agreed with the Saints, but it now seems only a matter of time before the young striker moves to Anfield in a deal worth around £6.5m.

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe is at loggerheads with his player and manager over the negotiations.

Redknapp is realistic about the situation, recognising Crouch has his heart set on the move. The St Mary's boss wants to get on with rebuilding his side with the kitty he'll get.

Lowe, however, continues to increase his valuation of the recently capped international, which has led to the stalemate.

However, Anfield sources say there could be progress on a Crouch deal over the next 24 hours.

In a frantic week off the park, Djimi Traore and Didi Hamann have today penned the deals agreed in the aftermath of the European Cup win.

And goalkeeper Pepe Reina is now free to make his debut at Wrexham on Saturday after receiving international clearance.

Liverpool are also making progress with negotiations regarding Jamie Carragher's future and expect the defender to sign his four-year-contract with skipper Steven Gerrard tomorrow.

"We're delighted to have secured Steven, Djimi and Didi, and now the future of Jamie is at the top of our minds," said chief executive Rick Parry today.

"We're very hopeful this will be sorted out very quickly."

Carragher, Gerrard and Traore will stay at the club until at least 2009, while Hamann has signed a one-year-deal.

JULY 4
Vickery's view on Mark Gonzales

BBC Sport Online

New Liverpool signing Mark Gonzalez turns 21 next week, and he has already made it clear that his move to Anfield is the perfect birthday present.

The young Chilean can fill any position down the left flank, from full back to winger, though his gifts are best suited to an attacking midfield role.

He has an electric burst of pace and an excellent left foot, which means he is very effective on the counterattack.

It is no co-incidence his best games for Chile have come away from home.

With the opposition pushing forward, Gonzales has exposed them on the break.

He is well capable of getting on the scoresheet, as shown by his record of three goals in 13 caps.

Despite a slight frame he can generate plenty of power to shoot from long range.

He is a threat from free kicks, and is also adept at arriving at the far post to turn in crosses from the right.

Gonzalez was pitched into the highly competitive atmosphere of South America's World Cup qualifiers when he had only just turned 19.

He proved he could cope, and since then only injury has kept him out of the team. Only a harsh ruling, then, would deny him a work permit for his move to Liverpool.

Chilean players have a reputation for traveling badly.

Gonzalez, though, has already shown that he can adapt to European football.

His club, Albacete, may have been relegated from the Primera Liga, but he came out of the campaign with considerable credit.

Fitting into the Premiership is, of course, a more difficult task.

There is a new language to learn, a more physical type of game to get used to, and, of course, the extra pressures that come with playing for a club that is chasing titles.

Everything Mark Gonzalez has done so far would seem to indicate that he is up to the challenge.

JULY 4
Rafa: 4 signed, 2 or 3 more to come

LFC Official Website

Rafael Benitez has today confirmed he has signed four new players ahead of the start of next season - with the promise of two or three more to come before the end of the week.

Dutch star Bolo Zenden was officially unveiled as a Liverpool player this afternoon after completing his free transfer from Middlesbrough and he could make his debut in Saturday's friendly at Wrexham.

Benitez also revealed the club have now completed the signing of goalkeeper Jose Reina from Villareal while Mark Gonzales has signed from Albacete and young right back Antonio Barragan has arrived from Sevilla.

The Liverpool boss said: "We have today introduced Bolo Zenden as a Liverpool player but we have also signed Jose Reina, the best goalkeeper in Spain, Mark Gonzales, the best player in Chile and Antonio Barragan.

"We will be signing two or three more players this week."

JULY 4
Lawrenson tips Reds deadline

TEAMtalk

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson expects Steven Gerrard's Anfield future to be resolved prior to next Wednesday's Champions League qualifier with Total Network Solutions.

Gerrard is reportedly resigned to leaving the Reds this summer after becoming increasingly irritated at the club's failure to hold contract talks.

After declaring his intention to stay at Anfield in the immediate aftermath of his side's stunning Champions League triumph over AC Milan in Istanbul six weeks ago, the 24-year-old now feels manager Rafael Benitez wants him out.

It is rumoured the pair had a training ground bust-up on Saturday, which led to Gerrard telling his advisors he wants a move.

Chelsea and Real Madrid are both long-time admirers of the England midfielder, while Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson would leap at the chance of bringing Gerrard to Old Trafford in the unlikely event of him signalling a willingness to cross the great North-West divide.

Lawrenson, a member of the all-conquering title-winning squads of the 1980s and now a respected TV pundit, believes Gerrard will eventually end up at Stamford Bridge, but claimed the situation will be sorted out one way or another before the first TNS encounter.

"If Real Madrid and Chelsea are seriously courting Steven Gerrard they will not want him cup-tied for Europe," Lawrenson told BBC Radio Five Live. "Liverpool play TNS next Wednesday and it will have to be resolved one way or another by then."

Gerrard still has two years remaining on his current deal but, in the knowledge that his transfer value will start to plummet quickly once the new campaign begins, Benitez is said to have decided to cash in on his £30m asset now.

Although he admires the player, it is said Benitez feels the only way he can build a squad capable of challenging for the Premiership title is by finding the funds to bring in at least four more new players.

Middlesbrough's Boudewijn Zenden will join on a free transfer but Benitez knows that arrival alone will not allow Liverpool to build on their surprise European success.

"Rafa knows he has not got enough good players," said Lawrenson.

"They lost 14 Premiership games last season and at one stage I think he said there were only six players in his squad who he felt were capable of making a decent fist of winning the title.

"If he can get £30m for Steven Gerrard, he could improve the squad, so I guess he is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea."

Thor Zakariassen ©