SATURDAY 12
	Gerrard refuses to criticise Green for error England captain Steven Gerrard sees no reason why Fabio Capello's side can't top Group C despite starting their World Cup campaign with an unconvincing 1-1 draw against the USA. "The American goal was one of those things - you can't criticise the keeper. We have to get behind the goalkeeper and Robert will learn from this, go from strength to strength and play an important part down the line. "He could make an important save to win us a game. The goal came as a shock and it took us a while to get over it but I thought we finished the game stronger." (Sport.co.uk) Defeat for Kyrgiakos's Greece Sotirios Kyrgiakos and his countrymen have given themselves a mountain to climb to qualify from World Cup Group B following a 2-0 defeat to South Korea. The Liverpool defender had to watch from the bench as goals from Lee Jung-Soo and Manchester United winger Park Ji-Sung confined Greece to a deserved loss in their competition opener. Next up for the 2004 European champions is Thursday's clash with Nigeria, a game they may need to win heading into their final group encounter with Argentina. Kyrgiakos is one of a record 12 Reds taking part in the World Cup - plus we've got the soon-to-sign Milan Jovanovic representing Serbia. (LFC Official Website) Liverpool move still on for Rangers defender Wilson Liverpool remain keen on Rangers defender Danny Wilson. The Liverpool Echo says Rafa Benitez's exit means the transfer is on the backburner and Benitez's successor will have to decide whether to pursue a deal for the talented youngster. Even if Benitez had stayed, Liverpool didn't envisage Wilson's transfer being completed before the start of July so they are hopeful the current uncertainty won't jeopardise their hopes of bringing him south of the border. Some reports have suggested the failure to swiftly tie up a deal for Wilson after the end of the season was due to a lack of cash at Anfield. But Liverpool insist money was always available and the delay has been down to ensuring they don't pay over the odds for a player who only has a year left on his current contract. (tribalfootball.com) Gerrard inspired by sprint star Bolt Steven Gerrard will take inspiration from the fastest man on the planet when he leads England out against USA in their World Cup opener today. Gerrard and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt - the world-record holder at 100 and 200 metres - have formed something of a mutual admiration society, with Manchester United fan Bolt having requested a signed shirt from the Liverpool captain. "I'd heard Usain Bolt was a big football fan and it was really flattering that he wanted my shirt," Gerrard was quoted as saying in The Sun. "I'm just disappointed I haven't got his pace. "It's a pity he's a Man United fan though. I was going to ask him to one of our training sessions when he's in England but I might not bother now. "Seriously Usain is an athlete I really look up to. As a sprinter he's the man, isn't he? He's a winner, an inspiration and someone I love watching." (TEAMtalk) What has Roy Hodgson achieved in management? Roy Hodgson’s managerial career spans nearly 35 years and involves stints at no fewer than 12 top flight European clubs and three international jobs. The 62-year-old has won the Swedish and Danish league titles, reached two European finals and taken Switzerland to their first World Cup finals in 28 years. Hodgson is a highly respected figure in the global football community and has enhanced his reputation since he took over at Fulham in December 2007. (Liverpool Echo) Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool FC legacy is secure, regardless of his return to manager's office The King may not be back on his throne just yet – and may even face an uphill battle to reclaim it. But the clamour on the Kop for his coronation is growing by the day. A week ago Kenny Dalglish was the man tasked with helping pinpoint Rafa Benitez’s successor. Fast forward seven days and he apparently finds himself in a two-horse race for the Anfield hot-seat with Fulham’s Roy Hodgson. The kingmaker has turned serious contender. There has been no public word from the Kop legend himself but no one should be in any doubt just how much he wants a second crack at the job he cherishes above any other. (James Pearce - Liverpool Echo)
	FRIDAY 11
	Barnes: Give it to Roy or Kenny John Barnes has backed Kenny Dalglish or Roy Hodgson to succeed Rafa Benitez, insisting whoever gets the job will enjoy a "win-win situation". The former league and FA Cup winner said: "Whoever comes in will finish better than seventh, regardless of whether there is money to spend. "To be honest, I would like there not to be money to spend because if there is, it means you have sold Gerrard or Torres. So under those circumstances, I'd rather have no money!" (TEAMtalk) Liverpool FC hierarchy fear how powerful Kenny Dalglish would become Kenny Dalglish is the only candidate on Liverpool FC’s managerial short list that could persuade Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay. It’s one of the many pressing reasons why the Anfield legend should be installed as boss – but, sadly, also why he won’t be. Not when the decision is being made by a banker (Christian Purslow) and a Chelsea fan (Martin Broughton) on behalf of American owners that have piled an unsustainable level of debt onto Liverpool. Debt reduction not trophy gathering has long been the priority at Anfield. And that is reflected in the emergence of Roy Hodgson as the board’s number one choice to replace Rafa Benitez. (Ben Thornley - Daily Post) Agent: Kuyt could follow Benitez to Inter The agent of Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has admitted "anything is possible" amid suggestions new Inter manager Rafael Benitez is planning a San Siro reunion. Kuyt, 29, was a firm favourite of the Spaniard at Anfield and racked up more than 200 appearances since he arrived at the club in 2006. Reports had emerged that the Dutch international and midfield battler Javier Mascherano could come to the Champoions League holders for £33 million. Speaking to Calciomercato.it, agent Rob Jansen said: "It's just rumours, we know nothing about this offer. "Dirk is thinking now only about the World Cup. "He has an excellent relationship with Benitez, but we are commenting only on an hypothesis, because there is nothing concrete. When and if an offer arrives, we'll see. "Dirk is happy at Liverpool and has a contract until 2012. "Would he follow Benitez? Anything is possible, but, again, there is currently nothing." (Goal.com)
	THURSDAY 10
	Benitez donates £96,000 to Hillsborough Family Support Group The Echo can exclusively reveal that Rafa Benitez today donated £96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group as he gets set to leave Merseyside. The former Liverpool FC boss, who was today confirmed as the new manager at Inter Milan, handed over the cheque to Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the HFSG, as the rest of the committee watched on this afternoon. In a low key visit to the group's office, Benitez wished the group well and told them he hoped they would get the justice and the truth they are campaigning for. Mrs Aspinall said: "It was just nice to know that he wanted to see us before he went." (Liverpool Echo) Gerrard refuses to comment on liverpool manager search England captain Steven Gerrard has refused to be drawn on the debate over who should succeed Rafael Benitez as Liverpool manager. "I said on the record in Austria I wouldn't be speaking about matters at Liverpool," Gerrard noted. "That remains the case." (Goal.com)  Dalglish can resurrect Liverpool FC says David May David May feels his former boss Kenny Dalglish will give Liverpool FC fans something to get excited about if he takes over at Anfield for the second time. May played under Dalglish in the early 1990s after the Scot left Liverpool for Blackburn and told Press Association Sport: "He will come in and liven things up." May continued: "I remember him coming to Blackburn and the training sessions were bright. They were short and sharp and he got the lads buzzing again. "I think that is what needs to happen at Liverpool. Under Benitez they have been playing very boring football, but with Kenny I think they will give the fans something they deserve, which is attacking football." (Liverpool Daily Post)  Benitez pens two-year Inter contract Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been confirmed as the new Inter Milan coach, signing a two-year deal with the Serie A giants. (TEAMtalk)  Paul Dalglish backs father Kenny to land Liverpool FC manager's job Kenny Dalglish is desperate to be named as Liverpool's new manager, according to his son Paul. The former Liverpool Reserves striker has revealed his father's burning ambition to succeed Rafa Benitez in the Anfield hot seat. And Paul believes the Reds legend, who managed the club between 1985 and 1991, is the ideal man to transform the club's fortunes and provide unity after a dismal campaign. “I just think that hopefully he does get it because I know how much he wants it,” Paul said. “To be honest with you it would be an unbelievable story for my dad to be going back. “Some people say, well what happens if it doesn’t work? He’s been out of the game for 10 years. “My question is, what if it does work? What person loves Liverpool more than my dad?" (Liverpool Echo)     Torres is favourite to top World Cup scoring charts Premier League bosses reckon Fernando Torres is the most likely player to bring the Golden Boot back to England. The Liverpool striker came in ahead of Wayne Rooney in the survey league sponsors Barclays conducted with top flight managers ahead of the Wold Cup, which starts tomorrow. Torres missed the last seven games of Liverpool’s season with a knee injury and only made his return to action on Tuesday night in Spain’s final warm-up friendly before jetting off to South Africa But Torres made an immediate return to scoring form after coming on as a second half substitute against Poland, scoring the fifth in a 6-0 rout. He secured 47% of the vote, ahead of Rooney (41%) and Manchester City and Argentina striker Carlos Tevez (12%). (Liverpool Daily Post) Thor Zakariassen ©