TUESDAY 27
	Amoo on target in Reds loss Liverpool Reserves crashed to their fifth straight defeat as Blackburn Rovers secured a 2-1 triumph at Prenton Park on Tuesday night. The young Reds produced a determined display in their final home match of the season but were undone by Matty Pearson's 44th minute header after David Amoo had cancelled out Jason Lowe's opener. It means their hopes of catching second-placed Manchester City are now over while Rovers are just three points behind John McMahon's men with a game in hand. Liverpool Reserves: Martin, Flanagan, Cooper (Dalla Valle 46), Palsson, Mavinga (Sokolik 46), Irwin, Saric, Amoo, Bruna, Kholert, Kacaniklic. Unused subs: Hansen, Brouwer, Ihiekwe. (LFC Official Website) Benitez's agent denies deal done with Juventus Rafael Benitez's agent has told BBC Sport reports the Liverpool boss has agreed a deal to take over Serie A giants Juventus are "absolutely false". According to reports in Italy, the Turin side are poised to secure the Spaniard on a four-year contract. But Manuel Quillon Garcia denied that was the case, insisting: "There is no agreement with anyone." He also denied meeting Juve director Roberto Bettega in Monte Carlo this week to discuss Benitez's future. BBC Sport understands Benitez is one of several possible candidates Juventus want to succeed Alberto Zaccheroni at the Stadio Olimpico this summer. However, Benitez's pay demands, and the fact he would want to bring several of his backroom staff with him, could cause difficulties. There has been no contact between Liverpool and Juventus, with the Reds privately sceptical the Italian club could afford to buy the manager out of his lucrative contract, which still has four years to run. Juventus have refused to comment on speculation their president Jean-Claude Blanc will fly to Liverpool this week in an attempt to lure Benitez away from Anfield after six years in charge. (BBC Sport Online) Addicks confirm talks Charlton Athletic have confirmed that they are in talks about teenager Jonjo Shelvey's departure. Skysports.comunderstands that Liverpool have won the race to sign the Academy graduate, who is closing on 50 appearances for the Addicks. It is believed Shelvey will undergo a medical on Merseyside this week, ahead of a move to Anfield in the summer. However, League One club Charlton have refused to confirm that the player was in talks with Liverpool and insisted a deal was not yet done. Addicks chairman Richard Murray told the South London Press: "There has been some interest shown in the player but we're some way off doing a deal." (Sky Sports) Fowler makes A-League switch to Perth Glory Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler will play for A-League club Perth Glory from next season. The 35-year-old will be Perth's foreign marquee player, which means his wages are excluded from their salary cap. "It's exciting for football fans in Western Australia that a legend has decided to play for us," said Perth chairman Tony Sage. Fowler was released from his contract with cash-strapped North Queensland Fury after one season in Townsville. The former England international, who had been linked to Sydney FC, joins ex-Derby, Bolton and Blackburn defender Andy Todd at the Perth Oval. "Robbie had a number of clubs chasing his signature, both in the Hyundai A-League and from the Middle-East and we're delighted he's decided to join Perth Glory," added Sage. Fowler is the fourth highest scorer in Premier league history, with 163 goals, following two spells for Liverpool. He also played for Leeds United, Manchester City, Cardiff City and Blackburn. Fowler moved to North Queensland in February 2009, scoring nine goals in 26 appearances as the Fury finished seventh in the A-League. (BBC Sport Online) Rush can't understand Reina snub Ian Rush can't believe Pepe Reina wasn't in the PFA Team of the Year. Reina missed out on being named in the PFA Team of the Year, with Birmingham's Joe Hart getting the nod instead. It's a decision that baffles Rush. "Without doubt Pepe should have been in the team. Hart's had a good season but when you watch Pepe Reina play you can see that he is an incredible stopper," said the Reds legend. "I can't understand how he doesn't get a game for Spain. Casillas must be one hell of a goalkeeper to keep Reina out. "He has been fantastic and has really grown in confidence over the years. "He must have had three or four assists for some of our goals this season and that's one of the main things I like about him. His distribution on the counter attack; it's like having another outfield player. "There are probably games where Liverpool have gone on to win and Torres or Gerrard have taken the credit, but there are five or six occasions that I can think of where he has made an important save to change a game in our favour. "I can't understand how he isn't in the PFA team. When you look at Liverpool's player of the year, he's definitely in the top three, if not a worthy winner." (LFC Online) Gerrard issues Blues warning Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has warned Chelsea they will not roll over against them - even it means handing the title to Manchester United. Gerrard promised that there will be no let-up from Liverpool as they cling to their faint hopes of finishing in the top four even though it leaves their supporters in a difficult predicament. A win for Liverpool would make bitter rivals United firm favourites for the title, which would see the title holders eclipse the Anfield club's record of 18 championships. Gerrard will not be looking to do Chelsea any favours as he looks to push for fourth place and also ensure his side finish above neighbours Everton. "We have a couple of games left and the idea is to take maximum points and see if we can get into the Champions League through the back door," said Gerrard. "If we take maximum points, who knows? The teams above us might slip up. All we have done is keep the pressure on. "We won't give up but it would be stupid of me to say this or that is going to happen - it's important to be realistic. "We are underdogs for fourth position but our fans also know we've got Everton breathing down our necks and we certainly don't want them finishing above us." (Sky Sports) Kuyt battling to be fit to face Atletico Madrid Dirk Kuyt is having intensive treatment in a bid to be fit for Liverpool’s crunch Europa League clash with Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Thursday night. The Dutchman was forced off with a calf injury during Sunday’s 4-0 win at Burnley and is a doubt for the semi-final second leg. Kuyt worked with the physios at Melwood yesterday and is desperate not to miss out on the chance to fire the Reds into the final in Hamburg on May 12. Boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful Kuyt will face the Spaniards and will give him every chance to prove his fitness. With 22-goal top scorer Fernando Torres recovering from a knee operation and rookie frontman David Ngog troubled by a back injury he picked up in the first leg, Kuyt is crucial to the Reds’ hopes of overturning the 1-0 deficit. If the 29-year-old, who is the club’s third top scorer with 11 goals this season, fails to make it then Benitez could be left with no fit strikers and a major selection headache. Ngog is also having treatment in a bid to play some part against Atletico and Benitez can only wait and hope his two strikers make a swift recovery. If they both fail to make it then the manager would have little option but to play Ryan Babel as a lone frontman. (Liverpool Echo) Aquilani versatility pleases Benitez Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes midfielder Alberto Aquilani may be able to flourish if he is given more freedom and less responsibility. The £17million summer signing from Roma has had an indifferent start to his Anfield career as an ankle injury prevented him from making his Premier League debut until early November. "In the first year, especially because he has been injured for a long time, to manage him and find the right position for him was not easy because the Premier League is very strong and physical. "But in this position he has freedom and with Gerrard behind him they can pass to each other." (TEAMtalk) Gerrard: Torres’ absence damaged our confidence Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits the absence of injured striker Fernando Torres damaged belief within the squad but insists the prospect of a Europa League final and snatching fourth place in the Barclays Premier League has lifted spirits. The players are used to being without Torres – he was sidelined for five weeks after surgery in January – but it has taken them time to assume the goalscoring responsibilities themselves. A 3-0 win over West Ham last Monday followed by Sunday’s 4-0 defeat of Burnley – Liverpool’s first away victory in eight attempts – has proved they can score goals without their Spain striker. And Gerrard hopes they can carry that form into Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg, when they will seek to overturn a 1-0 deficit, and their remaining two Premier League fixtures against Chelsea and Hull. "I won’t lie. Sometimes when you lose your top striker, it can damage belief and affect your confidence but this was much better," said Gerrard. (Irish Examiner)
	MONDAY 26
	Huang plays down Reds talk Kenneth Huang has denied speaking to a newspaper about a proposed takeover of Liverpool. A report in the Sunday Mirror suggested Huang, described as a former Wall Street stockbroker, was leading a consortium who were in advanced negotiations to buy the Merseysiders for £500million. (Sky Sports)  Atletico upbeat ahead of Anfield trip Simao Sabrosa says Atletico Madrid are "optimistic" ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg at Liverpool on Thursday. An early goal by former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan saw Atletico secure a narrow 1-0 win over Rafael Benitez's team in the first leg last Thursday at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. Quique Sanchez Flores' team followed it up with a 3-1 win over Tenerife in the Primera Division on Sunday to round off a successful few days. With Thursday's game delicately poised, Simao admits Atletico are approaching it as a one-off as they look to book their place in next month's final in Hamburg. He told AS: "This is a semi-final but for us it is like a final. "We must have faith, we are in the final 90 minutes." (TEAMtalk)  Benitez wants Gerrard to stand tall Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez expects captain Steven Gerrard to lead from the front in their remaining matches. The Reds are just 90 minutes away from a Europa League final and still have hopes of snatching fourth place in the Premier League. Atletico Madrid arrive at Anfield on Thursday with a 1-0 lead from the first leg of their European tie. Benitez wants Gerrard, as he has done so often in the past, to inspire the team to victory just as he did at Burnley yesterday with two goals in a 4-0 win. "We need the captain to be a leader and he was a leader," said Benitez. (TEAMtalk)  Rush returns Ian Rush is back on the payroll at Liverpool. The former legend, who scored 346 times in 660 games for the Reds, has become the new club's Soccer Schools Ambassador. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be involved with the club again and hope the contacts I already have in the football and coaching community will allow us to move forward quickly," he said. “My role is to provide the technical input into the development of the Soccer Schools programme and just as importantly help our business team to assess the quality of the franchised operations and the standard of the courses being offered under the Liverpool badge to kids around the world. “It’s really great to be asked back. I think it is the way forward and I’m looking forward to working with everyone. (LFC Online) Rooney hopes for Reds favour Wayne Rooney hopes arch-rivals Liverpool can do Manchester United a favour in the title race against Chelsea next weekend. United trail Chelsea by one point as the battle for the Premier League title comes down to the final two games. Chelsea travel to Anfield and United visit Sunderland next Sunday in what could prove to be the pivotal day in the title race. Liverpool fans would not be happy to see a win over Chelsea help United go on to break their record of 18 league titles. The Reds still have faint hopes of finishing fourth and Rooney believes Liverpool's need to qualify for Europe will have them motivated to beat Chelsea. "I'm sure Liverpool will want to beat Chelsea," said Rooney. "The pride they've got and the history they've got, I'm sure they'll want to win that game. "They are fighting to get into the Europa League." (Sky Sports) Gerrard: Maxi key to rout Steven Gerrard today lavished praise on Maxi Rodriguez after the Argentine scored his first goal for the club in Sunday's 4-0 win at Burnley. The Reds No.17 netted with a terrific finish after a defence-splitting pass from Alberto Aquilani, and the skipper was more than delighted for him. "Maxi is a fantastic player," said Gerrard. "He's got good movement and as a footballer it's a pleasure to play with good players and that's what Maxi is because he's a fantastic player." (LFC Official Website) Burnley boss Laws proud of players in Liverpool defeat Burnley boss Brian Laws says he is proud of his players after their defeat at home to Liverpool. Laws pointed to the difference in standard for Burnley's problems both in this game and the season as a whole. "The players gave everything and today probably reflects on the effort that we have put in but also reflects the gulf in quality," said the former Sheffield Wednesday boss. (tribalfootball.com)
	SUNDAY 25
	Reds line-up Shelvey deal Liverpool are set to win the race to sign Charlton starlet Jonjo Shelvey, skysports.com understands. The 18-year-old midfielder has long been touted as one of the finest young prospects in England. He has previously turned down Chelsea's overtures, whilst Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham are also known to have been keen on securing his services. (Sky Sports) Rafa delighted with win Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was extremely happy with his side following their 4-0 win over Burnley. He told Sky Sports: "It was a good game, especially the second half. We scored four goals, a clean sheet. "So (I'm) really pleased and really positive." (Sky Sports)  Reds hit four to send Clarets down Liverpool triumphed 4-0 at Turf Moor to relegate Burnley from the Premier League and also kept alive their distant hopes of finishing fourth. With two matches to play the Clarets cannot now catch 17th-placed West Ham and return to the Championship after just one season in the top flight. Steven Gerrard's first goal in the 51st minute was deflected off Burnley centre-back Leon Cort but his 25-yard strike seven minutes later was inch-perfect and Maxi Rodriguez and Ryan Babel wrapped things up. The win, Liverpool's first in eight away league matches this year, kept Rafael Benitez's side in the hunt for next season's Champions League but only just. Tottenham are two points ahead on 64, with a match in hand, and Liverpool must win their remaining two games and hope neither Spurs, Manchester City nor Aston Villa amass more than 68 points - and even then it could come down to goal difference. (TEAMtalk)  Ayala and Aqua in Daniel Ayala, Alberto Aquilani, Ryan Babel and Maxi Rodriguez come in for Liverpool against Burnley this afternoon. Lucas, Yossi Benayoun, Sotirios Kyrgiakos and David Ngog all make way from the team that faced Atletico after that marathon journey in midweek. The Reds team v Burnley: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Ayala, Agger, Mascherano, Aquilani, Maxi, Babel, Gerrard, Kuyt. Subs: Cavalieri, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos, Lucas, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco. (LFC Official Website) Torres: PL could finish me Fernando Torres is concerned his health is at risk by playing for Liverpool in the Premier League and fears he could be injured for life if he stays in England. All the recent speculation has seen the Reds' star striker being linked with £60million move to Manchester City in the summer. But the former Atletico Madrid marksman has hinted he will leave the British Isles if he does say goodbye to Anfield. "The Premier League is such a tough competition and I have always admired this championship and the players who are here," Torres, whose season has been scuppered by a knee injury which could see him miss the start of the World Cup with Spain, told The News Of The World. "This is my third season and I'm still amazed to see (Steven) Gerrard, (Wayne) Rooney and (Frank) Lampard, players who have been here a long time, still playing at such a high level and with such impressive rhythm because the English league really wears down a player. "I just can't imagine what state I'll be in within five or six years if I continue to play here - it could easily give me problems when I stop playing. The physical level is superior to all other countries." (Sky Sports) Mark Lawrenson: It will take years for Liverpool to return to top four quality Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson believes that it will take some time before his old club will be able to reach the top four of the Premier League again. The former Republic of Ireland insists that Liverpool’s disappointing season could mean that stars like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres leave in the summer. (Goal.com) Liverpool suitor wants Rafa to stay Chinese businessman Kenneth Huang has revealed he is in talks to buy Liverpool and wants manager Rafael Benitez to remain at Anfield. Huang is at the head of a consortium interested in ending the ownership deadlock at Anfield and has claimed he has been granted access to the club's accounts by Tom Hicks and George Gillett. "Negotiations have taken place over the last few months and we are at a crucial stage," he said in the Sunday Mirror. (Football 365)  Thor Zakariassen ©