SATURDAY 15
	Ex-Liverpool FC striker Besian Idrizaj dies of a heart attack Liverpool are mourning the loss of former striker Besian Idrizaj, who died of a heart attack this morning. The 22-year-old spent three years at Anfield after signing from LASK Linz in the summer of 2005 but failed to make a senior appearance for the Reds and joined German side FC Eilenburg, following loan spells with Luton Town, Crystal Palace and Wacker Innsbruck. Reports in the attacker's native Austria claim that he died in the early hours of Saturday morning at the family home. Hailed as one of his nation's most promising players, Idrizaj arrived on Merseyside on the back of a glittering U17 European Championships in 2004 but a series of health problems led him to collapse on a number of occasions and restricted his short-lived career. Following his move to Innsbruck, he moved to Blackburn Rovers before making just three appearances for Championship outfit Swansea City last season. Whilst he never made a lasting impression on Kopites, some supporters will have fond memories of his 23-minute hattrick in a pre-season friendly against Wrexham in July 2007. (Click Liverpool) Johnson happy working with Capello Liverpool fullback Glen Johnson is pleased to have the confidence of England boss Fabio Capello. Steve McClaren's ill-fated reign in charge of England put Johnson's international career on hold, but the full-back has been a regular in the Three Lions' set-up since Capello took control in January 2008. "It's always nice when a manager shows he believes in you - it gives you that extra bit of confidence," he said. "There are times when I have a licence to get forward, and help the team out in an attacking sense, but a defender's primary objective is to defend. "Fabio is a great manager and a nice man. He's fantastic with the lads. He let's everyone know when it's time to knuckle down and get the job done and I think the boys have responded to that. His training regime is spot on and his tactics are second to none. "Fabio tells us regularly that on our day we can beat anyone. He gets the best out of the boys and has definitely instilled a lot of confidence in the squad. I've been lucky enough to work with some great managers like Jose Mourinho, Harry Redknapp, Rafa Benitez and Fabio. "They are all very different and have their own ideas but I've learned from them all." (tribalfootball.com) Nando makes fitness vow Fernando Torres has spoken of his determination to be fit for Spain's World Cup campaign when it gets underway against Switzerland on June 16. The Liverpool striker underwent knee surgery last month and admits he's been frustrated by injury troubles this season. However, Torres is working around the clock in order to be fit for La Furia Roja's clash with the Swiss next month. "It is true this season has been complicated by injuries. It's been difficult and a shame I've not been able to play more games and score more goals," said El Nino. "It hasn't been perfect and the only thing now is to think about the prize of being in South Africa. "I need to be positive and think there is the World Cup to come, which is now the most important thing. "You wait four years for it and if things go well I don't intend to miss it." (LFC Official Website) Rosell wants Torres top of Barcelona shopping list Barcelona have joined the battle for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres. The Daily Mail says 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. (tribalfootball.com)   Agent sparks questions over Benayoun’s Liverpool FC future Yossi Benayoun’s Anfield future has been plunged into doubt after his agent revealed he could be tempted by a move to Roma. The Israeli midfielder was mysteriously left out of Liverpool’s squad for the final game of the campaign at Hull City last weekend. Benayoun – who only signed a new deal 12 months ago – claimed after the 2-0 defeat against Chelsea on May 2 that he did not know whether he would still be at Anfield next year. Now Ronen Katzav has suggested a switch to the Eternal City would appeal to Benayoun, even though he insists there has been no approach from a side chasing the Serie A title. “We have not been contacted by Roma,” Katzav said. “We know about an interest from Roma, and there has been plenty of talk about this. “But we have not had any contact with the directors. Roma would be nice but my client has a contract with Liverpool and he is fine in England.” (Liverpool Echo) Premier League chief backs Liverpool's Spirit of Shankly campaign Liverpool fans group Spirit of Shankly claim the Premier League has given its blessing to Liverpool fans to continue their campaign against the club’s owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Members of SOS, the Liverpool supporters union, met with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore at the league’s Gloucester Place headquarters in London yesterday to air their concerns about the way in which the club is being run. And while the Premier League reportedly backed the ongoing protests, they claim the debts amassed by Hicks and Gillett are currently sustainable. Liverpool is currently £237million in the red. Concerns grew stronger recently with the revelation the Anfield club registered record annual losses of £55m for the year ending July 2009 and is paying £110,000 a day in interest payments. SOS spokesman, Jay McKenna, said: “Richard Scudamore suggested we keep on campaigning. He understood the fans are unhappy and want some answers. That was a positive to come from the meeting.” (Liverpool Echo)
	FRIDAY 14
	Mascherano talks on hold Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano’s contract negotiations are unlikely to be resolved until after the World Cup. The Argentina captain has been in discussions over a new deal for three months and it was anticipated an agreement would be reached by the end of the season. He was expected to follow the lead of goalkeeper Jose Reina, who signed a new six-year contract last month, but so far nothing has been finalised. And with the players having been released by the club for the summer – which for many means preparations for next month’s World Cup – it seems likely Mascherano’s improved contract will not be sorted until the middle of July at the earliest. Back in March, manager Rafael Benitez said he expected the midfielder to sign his new deal by the end of the Barclays Premier League campaign. Now that has not happened it leaves open the prospect that a good tournament for the 25-year-old will lead to more speculation over his future. There was a similar scenario last summer when Barcelona were heavily linked with a move for the Argentinian before the departure of fellow midfielder Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid resulted in Benitez slapping a £50m price-tag on the player. (BreakingNews.ie) Anfield’s grim truth is revealed by Liverpool FC’s latest accounts A week ago today, Liverpool’s annual accounts were published, giving rise to outrage and concern from deeply worried supporters. Here the ECHO’S Liverpool writer Dominic King delves further into a document that signals the biggest financial crisis in the Reds history - and highlights some stark truths behind the grim figures... Liverpool's recently published annual financial report is crammed full of many startling revelations and, on page two of the dossier, there is an especially significant sentence. “There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties, which could have a material impact on the Group’s long term performance,” it reads. “The Group derives the bulk of its income from football activities and related merchandising.” In the most simplistic terms, it means Liverpool being successful on the pitch will see the club’s finances in a better light. Yet, worryingly, the campaign which saw the Reds secure some of their best results and performances under Rafa Benitez led to a record deficit. No wonder, then, alarm bells have started ringing loudly among fans. (Dominic King - Liverpool Echo)   Wilson deal close Liverpool are close to signing Danny Wilson. The Reds are very close to completing a £2.5m deal for the 18 year old Rangers centre-back. Wilson will have a medical at Melwood this week and agree a contract, but the transfer won't formally be completed until the transfer window officially re-opens in June. (LFC Online)
	THURSDAY 13
	Reports: Benitez to bid for Spurs striker Pavlyuchenko Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is ready to make an offer for Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. The Daily Star says Benitez is looking to strengthen his side ahead of next season. And he is said to have named Spurs forward Pavlyuchenko as his number one target. (tribalfootball.com)  Reports: Inter Milan president to buy Gerrard for Mourinho Inter Milan are preparing a major bid for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. The Mirror says Italian giants Inter Milan, who face Bayern Munich in the Champions League final next week, are set to make Gerrard their number one target this summer. (tribalfootball.com)   Duo in Dutch squad Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel are in Holland's pre-World Cup squad. The Liverpool pair are both in the Dutch 30 man pre-World Cup squad announced yesterday. Kuyt is a cert to make the 23 man squad to go to South Africa while Babel will looking to use the upcoming friendlies to prove himself and boost his chances of making the cut. (LFC Online) Drogba keen on Torres partnership Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has revealed he would love it if Fernando Torres jumped ship to Stamford Bridge this summer. Drogba clinched the Premier League's golden boot award last weekend as the Blues romped home to claim the title with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Wigan. He has been partnered by French forward Nicolas Anelka this season but admits he would welcome any move for Liverpool star Torres, which has been speculated. "I have heard the talk about Torres maybe coming in and I would welcome it, of course," he said. "Every time there is a new player coming here it's making the club bigger and giving us a lot of strength. "If there is a chance for him to come he will be welcome, because any help is welcome." (TEAMtalk) Thor Zakariassen ©