SATURDAY 24
	Hodgson in dark over Torres Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson says he remains in the dark as to whether Fernando Torres will commit his future to the club. Hodgson has been waiting to hear from the Spanish striker, who has been widely tipped to depart Anfield over the summer following their disappointing seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last season and off-the-field turbulence. When asked if he had any updates on the situation, Hodgson told Sky Sports News: ""No, but Christian might be able to if you got hold of him. I haven't spoken to him for the last two days he's been travelling back from Spain where he's been on holiday." (Sky Sports) Roy hails Spearo impact Roy Hodgson expects Jay Spearing to be a regular member of Liverpool's first-team squad next season after the youngster impressed in Saturday's 1-0 friendly defeat to Kaiserslautern. The Reds boss was full of praise for his fledgling side after they more than held their own against an experienced German outfit and he was keen to pick out the No. 26 for his impact on the pre-season so far. "Spearing in particular has done well over the last two games and definitely deserves to be a part of our first-team squad," Hodgson told Liverpoolfc.tv. "I can understand why so many clubs are interested in loaning him. It's the same with Kelly, Eccleston and Amoo. They have all done well." (LFC Official Website) Narrow defeat for Reds Milan Jovanovic made his Liverpool debut as the Reds slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Kaiserslautern in Germany on Saturday afternoon. The Serbia winger was handed his first appearance for the club following his free transfer move from Standard Liege, while there was also a start for Sotirios Kyrgiakos in Roy Hodgson's second game in charge. (LFC Official Website) Line-up vs Kaiserslautern Roy Hodgson hands a start to new Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic today as Liverpool take on Kaiserslautern in a pre-seson friendly in Germany. Also in the starting line-up is Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos and David Ngog retains his place up front. Lucas Leiva again captains the Reds. Liverpool: Cavalieri, Kelly, Ayala, Kyrgiakos, Darby, Jovanovic, Spearing, Lucas, Amoo, Ngog, Eccleston. Subs: Degen, Gulacsi, Irwin, Palsson, Robinson, Shelvey, Ince, Dalla Valle, Hansen. Kaiserslautern: Sippel, Bugera, Amedick, Francisco, Dick, Amri, Bilek, Tiffert, Ilicevic, Micanski, Nemec. Subs: Trapp, Schluz, Abel, Kirch, Hornig, Moravek, Fuchs, Rivic, Hoffer, Stulin. (This is Anfield) Spearing: New vibe at Liverpool under Hodgson Jay Spearing admits every Liverpool player feels they have a new chance under manager Roy Hodgson. He admits he has relished the Reds' 10-day training retreat in Bad Ragaz and the chance to work closely with new gaffer Hodgson. "You can tell straight away that Roy means business," Spearing told liverpoolfc.tv. "He has laid his laws down about the way he wants things doing, and I do like it a lot. "I just hope I can keep going and stay in his thoughts. "If you do something wrong, he is not shy to tell you. If the session he puts on is not going the way he planned, then he is not shy to tell the lot of us. "He is very good on explaining exactly what he wants. And if it doesn't sink in first time, then he makes sure that it sinks in second time. But everyone has been enjoying it. "There is a different kind of vibe. Whether the youngsters were here or not, there is still Aquilani, Lucas, Soto, Milan and Joe Cole has just come, they are big players. "But for the young lads, and maybe even some of those players I have mentioned, it is a chance to stake a claim and show what they are capable of. We all want to stick around and be part of the manager's plans next season." (tribalfootball.com) Ngog wants to remain a Red David Ngog wants to stay at Liverpool. The French striker has been linked with a move to West Brom but insists he's happy at Anfield and wants to be a part of Roy Hodgson's plans for Liverpool. "I am a Liverpool player. I want to be involved in the first team at Liverpool," said Ngog. "The club had a difficult season last year, but I want to prove we can get back into the top four. I am confident about this. "I know speculation is part of football and we have to deal with it. If we bring in new players, it is good for the team. "My confidence is good. Now I have to do my job and give my best for the team. "I enjoying playing for the club and they have given me a lot of things. I am more experienced now and I want to be involved, play as many games as I can and score goals to help the team win." (LFC Online) Aquilani in Reds' plans Alberto Aquilani has been given assurances that he will not be sold to raise transfer funds. Roy Hodgson's reign has seen Joe Cole picked up on a free with Danny Wilson's initial £3.3 million fee covered by Albert Riera's departure for Olymiakos. Emiliano Insua's imminent transfer to Fiorentina will raise an additional £5 million. Though Yossi Benayoun and Mikel San Jose leaving has contributed almost £9 million to the balance sheet money remains tight. Liverpool still require a replacement left-back. With another striking option amongst the club's priorities a host of players are linked with an Anfield exit this summer. Aquilani who was suffering from an ankle injury when signed last year is often touted with a return to Italy. However, his agent confirms talks have taken place with the Liverpool boss. "Alberto has had very positive conversations with Roy Hodgson and he expects to stay for at least another year at Liverpool," Franco Zavaglia said. "There are always rumours, but Alberto is enjoying his life in England and he does not want to go anywhere." (Shanklygates) Pacheco to look at future Dani Pacheco has confirmed he will look at his future only when the European under-19 Championships end. The Spanish striker is aiding his country's bid to add a junior title to this summer's World Cup win by the senior squad. There are no suggestions that a permanent move will be sanctioned by Roy Hodgson but there are said to be offers on the table. Malaga and Espanyol hope that Pacheco could be persuaded to make a return to his homeland. "I will speak with the club when I return," he said. Admitting he knew of interest from elsewhere the 19-year-old added: "The important thing at my age is playing." Spain have reached the semi-finals with Pacheco contributing two goals. Recruited from Barcelona in 2007 the striker has impressed with the reserves and made seven appearances last term for Liverpool. (Shanklygates)
	FRIDAY 23
	Selection dilemma for Hodgson Roy Hodgson faces a selection battle with his own medical staff for the start of Liverpool's Europa League campaign next week. Liverpool begin their competitive season in Macedonia on Thursday - 18 days before their first Barclays Premier League game - as they face FK Rabotnicki in the third qualifying round of Europe's second-tier competition. Hodgson has not yet been able to work with all his players because those that played in the World Cup were granted a later summer break. Players involved in the latter stages in South Africa have not returned to training while England's Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson only got back this week and have missed pre-season camp in Switzerland. Hodgson has been advised that those players should not be considered for the trip to Skopje but the 62-year-old - who launched Fulham's run to the final at the same stage of the competition last season - wants to find middle ground. Hodgson told the club's website: "It's a little bit of a fight with them to some extent, in order to try and get them to free up more senior players, because their view is very clear that all of these players who are coming back to Melwood just after the World Cup shouldn't play in either of the two games. "My point of view is that I want to go through in the competition and I might need some of these players, so there's a lot of compromise." (Press Association Sport) Riera completes Olympiacos switch Albert Riera has completed his move to Olympiacos on a four-year contract, the Greek club have announced. The Spanish winger was presented to media today after fans lined the streets to welcome his arrival at the Athens club. The 28-year-old fell out of favour at Anfield last season after an outspoken attack on former manager Rafael Benitez and describing the Reds as a "sinking ship". Reports claim the deal is worth £3.3million and that Riera has signed a four-year contract. (TEAMtalk) Liverpool linked with German defender Jansen Liverpool are reportedly consdiering a move for German international Marcell Jansen as boss Roy Hodgson continues his search for a new starting left-back. The 24-year-old has played in several positions during a career that has been solely in the Bundesliga so far, and is employed as a midfielder as much as a defender by current club Hamburg. (tribalfootball) City will not consider selling Bridge to Liverpool ESPNsoccernet has been told that Wayne Bridge has been assured his future remains at Eastlands despite the imminent arrival of left-back Aleksandr Kolarov and rumoured interest from Liverpool. City will spend £17 million on Serbian defender Kolarov and the deal has led to speculation linking the 29-year-old Bridge with a move to Liverpool, as new boss Roy Hodgson is on the lookout for a new left back after the departures of Emiliano Insua and Fabio Aurelio. However, Bridge, who declined to be included in England's World Cup squad because of a well-publicised fall-out with John Terry, naturally has sought clarification about his future with Manchester City and has been told he will not be sold. ''Wayne Bridge has been told by Manchester City that he is not for sale, that the manager wants two players for every position,'' a source told Soccernet. "That's fine by Wayne who is very happy at Manchester City with three years left on his current contract, having been there for one-and-a-half years already.'' Liverpool are still likely to push to sign the experienced defender, who may ultimately grow tired of finding himself in a similar position to the one that drove him out of Chelsea, and the source maintained that a move could yet happen. ''We all know in football that the situation can change,'' he said. ''If Liverpool are serious, and get some money in by selling one of their big stars, they could make an offer for Wayne, and who knows then if the situation changes." (ESPN Soccernet) Wilson admits he chose Liverpool over rival offers Former Rangers defender Danny Wilson admits he had rival offers ahead of signing with Liverpool. The young Scot joined Liverpool this week. Wilson told liverpoolfc.tv: "Liverpool are not a team that are going to come in for you all the time, so once I was informed about their interest, I hoped the speculation would develop into something. Now that it has, I am delighted to be here. "Yes, there were (other offers) but like I said, once Liverpool were in the frame there was only one team I wanted to go to. I was made aware by the manager up at Rangers there were a couple of teams who will be playing Champions League football this season interested, but when Liverpool come calling you don't say no." (tribalfootball.com)
	THURSDAY 22
	Reds to meet Rabotnicki Liverpool will face Rabotnicki in the third qualifying round of the Europa League after the Macedonian side overcame Mika. The two sides played out a largely uneventful draw in Yerevan on Thursday, meaning that Wandeir's goal from the first leg in Skopje was enough to take his side through. Rabotnicki won that match despite playing for more than 45 minutes with only ten men. Liverpool will travel to Macedonia for the first leg on 29th July before taking them on at Anfield in the second leg a week later in Roy Hodgson's first game at Anfield. (Sky Sports) Star duo within Roy's reach TEAMtalk's Simon Wilkes feels Wayne Bridge and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are very much 'realistic' transfer targets for Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson. Roy Hodgson has admitted he has to be 'realistic' over his transfer targets this summer - but I think the players Liverpool need are well within his grasp. Tabloid talk suggests he will try to prise Wayne Bridge from Manchester City and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from AC Milan. If these deals come off, then I may be tempted to agree with Ryan Giggs' assertion that it would be 'dangerous' to rule them out of the title race. (TEAMtalk)   Report: Huntelaar to sign for Liverpool, Babel joining Milan Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will join Liverpool, with Ryan Babel heading the other way as part of the deal, claims Il Corriere dello Sport. (Goal.com)  Hodgson taking it one step at a time The Anfield boot room, where championships were once plotted, now serves as Liverpool's press room and sometimes Rafael Benitez would point to the pictures on the wall. They showed the team that won Liverpool the European Cup in Istanbul and Benitez would gesture towards the photographs and remark that most of these footballers, the ones he inherited from Gerard Houllier, were not very good. "I wonder how we ever won it," he'd say. The squad Benitez left behind is considerably better than the one he inherited from Houllier, but Roy Hodgson knew it needed breaking up and rebuilding. With his half-a-dozen languages and his studied, professorial air, Liverpool's new manager may be the nearest thing to an English Arsene Wenger, but he has begun his first month in office with a deft ruthlessness. (Tim Rich - Irish Independent)   Hodgson hopeful over Torres Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has revealed the club remain locked in talks with Fernando Torres over the striker's Anfield future. Hodgson has been boosted in recent days by the capture of Joe Cole on a free transfer and captain Steven Gerrard's pledge to remain with the club next season, and is now hoping Torres will throw his support behind the new boss. (Yahoo! Eurosport)  Hodgson turns attention to Bridge Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson will follow up his capture of Joe Cole from Chelsea with a move to take Wayne Bridge from Manchester City to Anfield, according to reports. (Telegraph staff)  Dalglish drove Liverpool deal for Rangers defender Wilson Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish insisted on the signing of Danny Wilson from Rangers. Reds ambassador Dalglish tracked the Rangers kid throughout last season and urged new boss Roy Hodgson to make Wilson the most expensive teenager in Scottish football history. Wilson told the Scottish Sun: "Everybody's told me Kenny's been in my corner throughout the last few months, that he's wanted me to come to Liverpool. "I can't begin to tell you what that means to me, that someone of the stature of Kenny Dalglish rates me." (tribalfootball.com)  Liverpool talk with Internazionale over £25m sale of Mascherano Liverpool are in talks with Internazionale over the possible sale of Javier Mascherano after the Italian club made an approach for the midfielder. Roy Hodgson is believed to be ready to sell the Argentina captain at the right price to raise funds, after warning Liverpool supporters that several more signings are needed to lift the "doom and gloom" that enveloped the club last season. Liverpool want at least £25m for Mascherano, who has made no secret of his desire to move to Inter and link up again with Rafael Benítez, Hodgson's predecessor as manager at Anfield. (guardian.co.uk)   Captain Lucas reveals pride Lucas Leiva revealed his pride after wearing the captain's armband during our goalless draw with Grasshoppers on Wednesday night. "To say it was the first game, I think we did well. The first half was really difficult because we still need to improve our fitness. The pace of the game was fast, but in the second half we did better. (LFC Official Website)  Thor Zakariassen ©