THURSDAY 15
	Benítez's future may hinge on Liverpool's cash flow, says agent Rafael Benítez intends to see out the remaining four years of his contract at Liverpool but his future could be decided by the club's financial position, according to the Spaniard's agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon. Quilon also claimed an unnamed Chinese investor was interested in buying out the co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and keeping Benítez on as manager. But if that did not happen then Quilon said the two Americans would have to find a solution to the club's current financial restrictions – Liverpool are currently trying to slice £100m off their £237m debt – to prevent Benítez considering his future. (Press Association/guardian.co.uk)  Fitness boost for Benitez Martin Skrtel hopes to step up his recovery from a broken metatarsal next week. The Slovakian centre-back hasn't featured since our 3-1 win over Unirea on February 25. However, he is now back running and could soon rejoin his teammates in full training. Skrtel said: "I had another scan so that my doctors can be absolutely sure that everything is okay. "They were satisfied with what they have seen. It means that I can spend my time on running belt from now on. "It is a bit rigid but I hope that I can start working with the ball next week." (LFC Official Website) Benitez won’t throw in the towel Liverpool returned to training today with manager Rafa Benitez desperate to ensure there is no hangover from the dour stalemate with Fulham. The Spaniard granted his players three days off following Sunday’s draw with the Cottagers which effectively ended any hopes of Champions League qualification. However, a defiant Benitez is refusing to throw in the towel in the race for fourth place and is hoping his stars are refreshed for a crucial week. (Liverpool Echo)  Rafa pays Hillsborough tribute Rafa Benitez has paid tribute to the people of Liverpool for the way they remember the 96 victims of Hillsborough. The 21st anniversary of the disaster at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's home ground will be marked by a memorial service at Anfield on Thursday afternoon. Benitez, who will be attending his sixth memorial service, insists the memory of the 96 victims should never be forgotten. "Since I've been here it's always been very, very emotional," Benitez told the club's official website. "All the players and all the staff are always there trying to support the families because it is a very important day for the club. "The first time I went to the memorial service I was so impressed by what happens at this club. You can see the people and all the feelings. "It's a poignant occasion to keep everyone remembering." (Sky Sports) Reina eyeing Clemence Liverpool appearance record Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is putting down roots and eyeing Ray Clemence's appearance record. Reina currently stands on 253 appearances, and with his new six-year deal signed and sealed he has set his sights on the legendary goalkeepers' proud feat. Clemence made 665 appearances in front of the Kop and Grobbelaar 628, and Reina is flattered with comparisons between two custodians he holds in the highest regard. "It's nice people compare me to those two, who I call 'monsters' in goalkeeping terms as they were both amazing for this club," Reina told Liverpoolfc.tv. "To be compared with them I have to win a lot more medals with this club as they achieved great success with Liverpool. "They both played triple the amount of games I have so far and I have got a long way to go to make over 600 appearances for this club. "It's a massive amount but I want to play over 600 games for this club one day and hopefully I can achieve that. "I believe in this club and I believe we will achieve some good things for our supporters. We have this famous history and we want to grow more success for this club in the future." (tribalfootball.com) Report: Inter still favourites to land Gerrard According to reports coming out of England and Italy, Inter are in pole position to capture Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard should he be forced to leave Anfield. (Goal.com)
	WEDNESDAY 14
	Torres to return to Melwood Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is set to return to the club's training ground on Thursday to further assess his knee injury. The prolific Spaniard went back to his homeland over the weekend to see specialist Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona, and will arrive in Melwood where the Liverpool physio team will perform more tests on the player's overall fitness. Cugat previously performed surgery on the former Atletico Madrid captain's knee in January, which kept the player out for a month in what has been a stop-start season for Torres. Despite rumours that Torres would remain out for the rest of the season, Cugat stated on Tuesday that the 26-year-old could be fit to face West Ham at Anfield next Monday, although it is thought he will be rested in order to face his former club Atletico in their Europa League semi-final first leg at the Vicente Calderon next Thursday. The Liverpool star's injury woes have been a major blow to manager Rafa Benitez's plans this season, with the player featuring in only 22 league games as his side struggle to stay in the race for a Champions League place. However there are also concerns that his persistent injury problems may prevent him from travelling to South Africa with the Spain World Cup squad, for whom he is a key part of their starting line-up, this summer Real Madrid and Spain legend Fernando Hierro, who is now the Spanish Football Federation's sporting director, also confessed his concerns over the fitness of Torres, but was optimistic over the player's chances. "Until the rest period imposed by the doctor has passed, we will not know the extent of the injury," he said. "I talk to Torres every day and he is optimistic. I am too. Hopefully the problem is due to a knock, because it reduces the risk." (Sky Sports) Agent denies Benitez Juve talks The agent of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has dismissed rumours claiming that he has already held talks with Juventus over a summer move for his client. Benitez has been linked with a possible Anfield exit for some time, with both Juve and Real Madrid reported to be keen on luring the Spanish tactician away from Merseyside. However, Manuel Garcia Quilon insists that no formal talks have taken place as yet. He told The Daily Mail: "I never met anyone from Juventus. I was here in Madrid (where my agency is based). "I repeat that Benitez has a four-year contract with Liverpool, which in principle means he will remain there. "But for the next months, I do not know what will happen." (Sport.co.uk) Olympiakos move in to sign Aurelio Olympiakos have made a move for Liverpool left-back Fabio Aurelio. The Brazilian is out of contract this summer and the Greek Super League outfit are hoping to snap him up on a free transfer. Visit his player profile page by clicking here They have informed the 30-year-old’s agent of their interest and are waiting for a response. Aurelio’s injury woes this season have halted any talks regarding a new deal at Anfield and it’s unclear whether he will be offered the chance to stay. Aurelio missed the start of the campaign after hurting his knee playing football with his family on the beach back home in Brazil and he’s currently sidelined with a thigh problem he suffered in the win against Blackburn at the end of February. Manager Rafa Benitez hopes he will return to training next week and play again before the end of the season but he is running out of time to earn a fresh contract. Aurelio has been beset by problems since Benitez signed him from his old club Valencia on a free transfer in July 2006. The defender, who won two La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup under Benitez in Spain, ruptured his Achilles in the Reds’ Champions League quarter-final against PSV Eindhoven and was forced to sit out the 2007 final against AC Milan in Athens. (Liverpool Echo) Reports: Benitez given ten-day deadline Juventus have reportedly given Rafa Benitez ten days to decide whether he wants to become the club's new manager. According to The Times, Juve, in the process of drawing up a shortlist of candidates to take over as the club's manager at the end of the season, are 'hoping to take advantage of Benitez's frustration at the lack of financial backing afforded to him by Liverpool since committing his long-term future to the club'. (Football 365) Reserves beaten Liverpool reserves lost 1-0 to Man Utd last night. The Reds were beaten in their top of the table clash which leaves them nine points behind United, albeit with two games in hand. It was a result that was harsh on an inexperienced Liverpool side according to John McMahon. "The performance was good overall and especially in the second half I thought we controlled the game for large parts," said the reserve team boss. "It was a little hard to take to come away from this game with nothing as I felt we were the better side. "The big message from me to the lads in the dressing room at the end of the game was for them to keep their heads up and let's not make this a habit of losing games. "Losing is never acceptable so after losing our last two games we have got to get out of that habit and beat Burnley on Friday." (LFC Online)
	TUESDAY 13
	LFC announce Borussia clash Liverpool will play Borussia Monchengladbach in a pre-season friendly as part of the German side's 110th anniversary celebrations. The clash will take place on the afternoon of July 31 at Borussia Park. The two sides have a rich rivalry, with Liverpool beating Monchengladbach in the 1973 UEFA Cup final and 1977 European Cup final. The following year the Reds went on to win the European Cup again - this time knocking Borussia out in the semi-final. Their Director of Sport, Max Eberl, said: "Liverpool are worthy and attractive opponents for our anniversary who are likely to ensure our stadium is really full." (LFC Official Website) Relief for Liverpool as specialist says Torres should return within a week Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been boosted by the news that Fernando Torres could return to first-team action within a week. The Spanish striker missed Sunday's goalless draw with Fulham to travel to his homeland for treatment on his injured knee. And his doctor, specialist Ramon Cugat, believes five days rest might be enough for the 26-year-old. "The problem is not serious but he needs to stop and rest to avoid more risk because it's the same knee on which he had surgery in January," Cugat said, according to the Daily Mail. "But in normal circumstances, he could be ready to play next week, depending on how it settles down. The decision is now up to Liverpool's medical staff and the manager." Liverpool face West Ham United on Monday in the Premier League, and then head to Madrid for what could be a Europa League homecoming for Torres against his former club, Atletico. But they may face interference from the Spanish FA, who are monitoring the situation closely and do not want their star forward prematurely rushed back into action ahead of the summer's World Cup. (Goal.com) Liverpool urged to target Far East for new owner Liverpool's search for a new owner is likely to find best encouragement in the Far East. The Independent says with a price tag of between £400-500m and a need for substantial investment in a stadium that has more than 120 fewer corporate boxes than the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool may find the Far East the likeliest place to find a buyer. "The Liverpool brand there is bigger there than anywhere else in the world," said Professor Chris Brady, the dean of the BPP Business School, who specialises in football finance. "If you land at Bangkok Airport, the first thing they ask if they know you are English is about Liverpool. It would probably appeal to a consortium rather than a single investor. Dubai International Capital [the consortium beaten to ownership of Liverpool by Hicks and Gillett in 2007] may be interested now that the Americans are offering total control. "But there is still money to be made in the Premier League, not so much by running a club but by selling it on." (tribalfootball.com) Pacheco praised Rafael Benitez has praised Dani Pacheco. Benitez was impressed with Pacheco's 15 minute cameo against Fulham on Sunday and believes the 19 year old forward could useful in unlocking stubborn defences in the future. "He was trying. It was difficult without space but he was doing well. He is the kind of player who can make a difference in that situation," said the boss. "He is a player with talent and if he can keep working hard, he will use it more effectively. "Sometimes players with talent are a little bit inconsistent, so if he works hard, like he is doing now, he can be very, very important." (LFC Online) Mascherano plans return home Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has revealed he would like to return to his native Argentina towards the end of his career. The 25-year-old, who is currently in negotiations over a new contract at Anfield, admits he wants to go back to South America for a number of seasons for his swansong. He is reportedly the target of a number of Europe's elite clubs, but could stay at Liverpool before returning home. "You never know and I don't want to be tied down by what I say, but I don't think I'll be staying on forever," he told FIFA's official website. "Right now I'm thinking about playing for another three or four years at the highest level and returning home to play at a good level there. "I want to enjoy Argentinian football for four or five years and I'd love to do it at River (Plate), the club that gave me everything and treated me so well." (Football 365) Carragher: Fourth place not essential Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher claims failing to qualify for the Champions League is hardly the disaster it has been painted. The Anfield club are now starting to accept their hopes of playing in Europe's elite competition for a seventh successive year next season are over. The Reds lie sixth in the Barclays Premier League after a goalless draw against Fulham on Sunday, six points behind Manchester City in that crucial fourth position having played a game more. The financial ramifications of missing out on the Champions League could be huge, but Carragher sees no reason why the Reds cannot bounce back stronger next year. The long-serving defender said: "It is nothing new if we don't get there. We haven't played in it before, people forget that. "If we don't get there we will just come back next season. People are saying if we don't get there that will be us as if we will never get there again. That is nonsense. "If we don't get there this year, I'm sure we can't be as bad next season as we have been this. "The Champions League is a big thing, you want to be in it and the revenue it generates is a massive thing. "But who knows what the future will bring? We are a massive club and we will get back in it next year, I am sure of it." (Football 365) Thor Zakariassen ©